CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by a veterinarian seeking interim custody of a baby monkey which is currently under treatment at Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur.
Following the submissions made by special government pleader T Seenivasan, representing the zoo director Ashish Kumar Srivastava, that the bonnet macaque is being given regular treatment and is taken care of by the zoo authorities, Justice CV Karthikeyan dismissed the petition.
The petitioner, Dr Vallaiappan, had prayed for granting the interim custody of the animal as it has suffered multiple wounds due to dog bites and he had treated it for quite some time since it was brought to him at a camp in Ranipet district. The judge also rejected his request for visiting the monkey at the zoo.
A status report, filed by the zoo director, informed that the animal is feeding well and put on around 100 grams weight after it was brought to the zoo. Special diet including fruits and nuts is being given twice a day and physiotherapy by dry warm fomentation and passive range of motion exercise being carried out twice in a day at the zoo hospital.
Seenivasan, in his submissions, informed that Vallaiappan had taken the animal, which falls under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, in violations of the rules and said that giving custody of the animal to the petitioner will jeopardise its welfare as it has already been suffering from hind limb paralysis.
‘Rules violated’
Seenivasan informed that Vallaiappan had taken the animal in violations of the rules. He said the petitioner was allowed to see the animal, as per the directions of the court, on November 9 but he had not adhered to the safety protocol.