A man in a village in Cooch Behar recently put up a post offering three White-breasted Waterhens, a protected wild species, for sale. This act is a clear violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits the hunting, capture, and trade of protected species.

Upon spotting the post, our team led by Ardhendu Banik quickly informed the Forest Department and rushed to the location. The birds were confiscated and the individual was apprehended by the Forest Department and fined.

This is a textbook case of illegal wildlife trade, often hidden in plain sight. If you come across such incidents, do not ignore them—report them immediately to a wildlife organisation.

Wildlife belongs in the wild—not in cages.