Wildlife enthusiast rescues rare bird

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, Jan 8: The resolution adopted by the East Kameng Socio Welfare and Cultural Organisation (EKSWCO) not to eat wildlife meat bore fruit, as in a rare gesture of humanity, a wildlife aficiodo has rescued an endangered bird and handed it over to the Itagar Biological Park (IBP) authority here today, for further rehabilitation.

Aruchal Press Club (APC) President Chopa Cheda on Thursday while coming from Seppa in East Kameng district to the state capital purchased the bird by paying an amount of Rs 800 from an elderly lady in between Relloh and Sagalee. The lady captured the bird in forest and was looking for potential customers.

The Black-Breasted Khalij Pheasant (Lophura Leucomelanos Lathami) was handed over to the IBP curator Raya Flago. The rare bird is included in the Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The male is glossed with purple black. The head is bluish black with a red face and a rrow projecting crest. The feathers are rounded and not lanceolate. The upper parts are glossy blue black with a purple sheen, except the concentric barring on the lower back and rump.

The female is brownish, with each feather tipped to a lighter shade and the tail-feathers black, except the top or central pair.

These birds keep in pairs or small groups and feed in open areas early in the mornings. They are very shy and scuttle for cover at the slightest hint of alarm.

Earlier on June 1, 2013, Cheda had doted a monitor lizard (Voranus Bengalensis), a Schedule I animal, to the park, which was caught in his residence.

Extending his gratitude on behalf of the Environment and Forest department, Flago appreciated Cheda’s effort in rescuing the bird and handing over to the zoo authority for further rehabilitation.

“I appeal every citizen of the state to follow such gesture in preservation and conservation of our rich wildlife heritage and stop hunting,” Flago added.

Cheda, who is also the Press advisor of EKSWCO, informed that the organisation in its 37th Foundation Day last year, resolved to stop eating wildlife meat so as to minimise hunting, a common practice prevalent in the tribal communities of the state.

“Through this little effort, I want to create awareness among the people of the state about preservation and conservation of wildlife, the true asset of the state,” he said.

“It is high time the people should realise the importance of wildlife and stop the practice of hunting otherwise days are not far away when our younger generations have to search Google to see pictures of the wildlife species, once abundant in the state or need to go outside the state to see them at zoos,” Cheda added.