Thane Wildlife Horror: More Bonnet Macaques Shot with Arrows, Forest Department Takes Action
In a distressing escalation of wildlife cruelty, two additional bonnet macaques have been found injured with arrows in Thane's Upvan area, mere days after a similar attack on another monkey. The incidents have sparked outrage and prompted immediate legal action by authorities.
Forest Department Files Preliminary Offence Report
The Maharashtra State Forest Department has lodged a preliminary offence report against unknown persons under the stringent Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. This legal step is critical as bonnet macaques are afforded high protection under Schedule 1 of the Act, making any harm to them a serious offence.
Investigation Focuses on Archery Academies
Honorary wildlife warden and RAWW activist Pawan Sharma revealed that the arrows used in the attacks appear to be from professional archery kits. "Since the arrows with which the bonnet macaques have been shot have definitely come from a professional archery kit, we are now checking with three archery training academies which are set up in the Yeoor region, close to SGNP," Sharma stated.
He further speculated that the perpetrator might have acted "just for fun," highlighting a casual yet cruel disregard for wildlife.
PETA India Condemns the Heinous Acts
Saloni Sakaria of PETA India strongly condemned the attacks, emphasizing the premeditated nature of the cruelty. "The use of such equipment, which is clearly not easily accessible to the general public, strongly suggests premeditated acts of cruelty," she said.
PETA India has formally raised the issue with Dr. Jitendra Ramgaonkar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife West, Maharashtra, urging:
- Immediate and stringent action against those responsible.
- Invocation of relevant provisions under the Arms Act, 1959.
- Psychiatric evaluation and counseling for perpetrators, as animal abuse often indicates deep psychological disturbances.
Research underscores that individuals who commit acts of cruelty to animals are frequently repeat offenders who may escalate to harming humans, making early intervention crucial.
Community and Legal Response
The repeated attacks have alarmed local communities and wildlife enthusiasts, calling for enhanced surveillance and stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws. The forest department's proactive filing of the offence report marks a significant step in addressing these brutal incidents.
Authorities continue to investigate, with a focus on tracing the origin of the arrows and identifying the culprits to prevent further harm to the protected bonnet macaque population in the region.
