Illegal animal exhibition shut down at Chennai’s Island Grounds

Illegal animal exhibition at Island Grounds shut down due to mistreatment, poor conditions; animals rescued and taken for care.

An illegal animal exhibition at Island Grounds was shut down following reports of mistreatment and poor conditions of the animals. The exhibition, which had no approval from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), was found to be violating several animal welfare standards.

Upon arrival at the site, authorities found the animals were being kept in small, dirty enclosures. Many of the animals at the ‘Zaha Live Pets Paradise’ had no health records or vaccination documents, and the cages were filled with waste that had not been cleaned, an activist who visited the enclosure said. 

The animals were also under extreme stress as visitors were allowed to handle them and take photos for ₹200 per picture. Additionally, the area had poor ventilation, causing the animals to suffer in the heat.

Sai Vignesh, an animal welfare activist, said after a complaint was filed at the Triplicane Police Station, the police arrived, but the owner had locked the facility and fled. Despite waiting for two days, the owner did not return. Authorities later found attempts to smuggle the animals out of the facility.

Finally, with the help of police, a veterinary officer, and members of the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board, the door to the facility was opened. Inside, they found animals in distress, some of them dehydrated, injured, or sick.

The police seized various animals, including cockatiels, budgies, rabbits, sugar gliders, cats, sheep, hamsters, pigeons, guinea fowls, and hedgehogs. These animals were taken to the Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary for medical care and rehabilitation.