Overview
- Animal-welfare volunteers from the Greater Hyderabad Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals coordinated with Madhuranagar police to seize an Indian rock python and a broiler chicken from a visiting dance troupe during a Ganesh immersion procession on Sunday, September 20.
- GHSPCA had tracked the Visakhapatnam troupe for five days and had attempted an earlier intervention on September 19 in Kondapur when the alleged handler fled.
- The rescued python is a protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and was found to have an infection in its oral cavity and teeth that is being treated by veterinary doctor Dr Vishva Chaitanya.
- Madhuranagar police apprehended the alleged handler at the Jawaharnagar procession and the animals were taken into care pending legal and veterinary processes.
- GHSPCA praised the police response, urged citizens to report performances that exploit wildlife, and called on authorities to pursue action under wildlife laws to deter future public use of protected animals.