Protected birds seized in pet shop raids

IN A coordinated raid by game wardens and police officers on two pet shops in North and South Trinidad, four men have been arrested and charged for several wildlife offences.

The northern game wardens, under the command of game warden Cleve John, raided the UWI Pet Shop on Eastern Main Road, St Augustine and  arrested and charged the owner with possession of protected animals. Six yellow-head parrots, 11 cardinals and nine monkeys were seized by the northern game wardens. The owner was expected to appear in the Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court yesterday. A joint exercise was carried out by the South game wardens on two Princes Town pet shops.

The  officers were under the command of Game Warden Steve Seepersad and police officers from the Princes Town Police Station. One green-winged macaw, two yellow-headed parrots, 25 semps and 75 picoplats were removed from the pet shops. Three men were arrested and charged for having birds in undersized cages, possession of protected animals, clipping the wings of protected animals and cruelty to animals. They were due to appear yesterday in the Princes Town Magistrates’ Court.