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Because the animals are readily available in the illegal pet trade, the campaign specifically seeks to address the misconception that native wildlife can be kept as pets simply. Mumbai: On the occasion of Wildlife Week, RiWild Sanctuary group has launched a statewide awareness campaign to highlight the illegal trade and keeping of native wild birds, turtles and other wildlife species as pets. The campaign was formally launched by Srinivas Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Maharashtra , with the unveiling of a series of awareness posters featuring some of the wildlife species most commonly trafficked and illegally kept as pets in India.
“The campaign aims to use veterinary clinics as important points of public awareness, helping veterinarians educate pet owners about native wildlife species that cannot legally be kept as pets, as well as the legal provisions and penalties associated with their illegal possession and trade,” said Dr Rina Dev, president of RiWild Sanctuary & Charitable Trust. The posters provide information intended to help veterinarians and members of the public recognise commonly trafficked species and understand that their possession and trade may have legal consequences.