FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2000
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2000
Saving crocs only to suffocate them
NEW DELHI (AFP) - Forestry officials in the southern Indian state of Kerala said Thursday that more than 22 animals, including 19 crocodiles, had died after being "saved" from a private wildlife park."The animals died of suffocation and oversight on the part of some of the officials," said forestry official Jayraj, who led a team which raided the private sanctuary on Sunday.
The raid was authorised by the New Delhi based Central Zoo Authority, after the park was found to have illegally procured a large number of animals.
A total of 200 animals were impounded as a result of the raid, and caged awaiting shipment to a recognised reserve.
"We kept the animals in their cages in the illegal park till we got a clearance from the magistrate ... there was a delay," Jayraj explained.
Nineteen crocodiles died as a result, as well as two storks and a cobra.
Newspaper reports suggested the toll was even higher.
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