Protected water-birds hunted in wetlands, served as chicken in Chennai outskirts

A study found that 47 out of the 53 water birds found in Kancheepuram wetlands are being hunted despite being protected by Wildlife Act 1972.
A recent study has revealed that 47 out of the 53 water-birds found in Kancheepuram wetlands are being hunted and sold in the open, despite being protected under Wildlife Act 1972. (Photo | EPS)
A recent study has revealed that 47 out of the 53 water-birds found in Kancheepuram wetlands are being hunted and sold in the open, despite being protected under Wildlife Act 1972. (Photo | EPS)
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Large water-birds such as pond heron and cattle egret, which are commonly found across the 27 wetlands of Kancheepuram, are killed by hundreds of men who consider it a 'profession.' (Photo | EPS)
Large water-birds such as pond heron and cattle egret, which are commonly found across the 27 wetlands of Kancheepuram, are killed by hundreds of men who consider it a 'profession.' (Photo | EPS)
Hunters in possession of single barrel muzzle loading guns, catapults, snares, traps and glue pads roam the wetlands hunting birds everyday. About 11 hunters operate in each wetland and they bag about 21 birds in each foray. (Photo | EPS)
Hunters in possession of single barrel muzzle loading guns, catapults, snares, traps and glue pads roam the wetlands hunting birds everyday. About 11 hunters operate in each wetland and they bag about 21 birds in each foray. (Photo | EPS)
The hunters send a couple of scouts at dusk to identify the birds’ night hideout. At early hours of the day, a team of three of four hunters approach the location with their guns and catapult. When one bird is disturbed, the entire flock flies. They make use of this to shoot down as many birds as possible. (Photo | EPS)
The hunters send a couple of scouts at dusk to identify the birds’ night hideout. At early hours of the day, a team of three of four hunters approach the location with their guns and catapult. When one bird is disturbed, the entire flock flies. They make use of this to shoot down as many birds as possible. (Photo | EPS)
The hunting operates in an organised fashion, where only one hunter shoots and others assist him in flushing and collecting the birds. The profit is then divided among the gang. (Photo | EPS)
The hunting operates in an organised fashion, where only one hunter shoots and others assist him in flushing and collecting the birds. The profit is then divided among the gang. (Photo | EPS)
All hunters were male and aged between 26 and 54 and more than half of them had at least completed elementary school. (Photo | EPS)
All hunters were male and aged between 26 and 54 and more than half of them had at least completed elementary school. (Photo | EPS)
The study says that while nearly two-thirds of the hunters knew that it was illegal, none expressed fear of persecution.  Over 73 per cent of hunters told the researchers that they primarily hunted for monetary reasons and not for sport. (Photo | EPS)
The study says that while nearly two-thirds of the hunters knew that it was illegal, none expressed fear of persecution. Over 73 per cent of hunters told the researchers that they primarily hunted for monetary reasons and not for sport. (Photo | EPS)
Almost all hunting happens on weekends, when the birds are immediately transported to local shandies and sold in the open. Five open markets were found to be selling these wild water birds during the course of this study. On average, a man make about Rs 13,000 a month from the hunt. (Photo | EPS)
Almost all hunting happens on weekends, when the birds are immediately transported to local shandies and sold in the open. Five open markets were found to be selling these wild water birds during the course of this study. On average, a man make about Rs 13,000 a month from the hunt. (Photo | EPS)
Pond heron was observed to be the most commonly traded species and also the cheapest, along with cattle egrets. Both of these birds are found in abundance across India. While these two cost about Rs 150 a bird, spot pelican was found to be the most expensive, as a bird cost Rs 2,500. (Photo | EPS)
Pond heron was observed to be the most commonly traded species and also the cheapest, along with cattle egrets. Both of these birds are found in abundance across India. While these two cost about Rs 150 a bird, spot pelican was found to be the most expensive, as a bird cost Rs 2,500. (Photo | EPS)
The Asian open bill and the black-headed ibis cost Rs 1,000, while cormorants and darters cost about Rs 300 and whistling teals sell for about Rs 500 a bird. (Photo | EPS)
The Asian open bill and the black-headed ibis cost Rs 1,000, while cormorants and darters cost about Rs 300 and whistling teals sell for about Rs 500 a bird. (Photo | EPS)
The impact of this hunting on bird population however remains unclear as there has been no baseline study performed in the State. (Photo | EPS)
The impact of this hunting on bird population however remains unclear as there has been no baseline study performed in the State. (Photo | EPS)
“Most people who consume the meat in these eateries are unaware that these are wild water birds. They simply think it’s chicken. If these birds carry an epidemic, there is no way one can trace it back to the population,” warned the lead author of the study R Ramachandran. (Photo | EPS)
“Most people who consume the meat in these eateries are unaware that these are wild water birds. They simply think it’s chicken. If these birds carry an epidemic, there is no way one can trace it back to the population,” warned the lead author of the study R Ramachandran. (Photo | EPS)
Large water birds that are found in protected bird sanctuaries like Vedanthangal, which has a similar environment, were however not spotted in agricultural wetlands. This piqued curiosity and led to the study, said Ramachandran. (Photo | EPS)
Large water birds that are found in protected bird sanctuaries like Vedanthangal, which has a similar environment, were however not spotted in agricultural wetlands. This piqued curiosity and led to the study, said Ramachandran. (Photo | EPS)

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