Parrots are beautiful, intelligent birds that have long captivated humans with their bright colors, ability to mimic speech, and lively personalities. However, keeping parrots as pets or importing them into many countries is heavily restricted or outright banned. This raises the question – what is the legal status of parrots in the Indian state of Kerala?
In this article, we will examine if it is legal or illegal to keep parrots as pets in Kerala, under what conditions parrots may be owned, what permits or paperwork are required, and penalties for illegally possessing parrots. Relevant wildlife protection laws and regulations in Kerala and India are analyzed. The article also explores why parrots are controlled, issues around wild-caught vs captive-bred birds, and the parrot trade.
Is it legal to keep parrots as pets in Kerala?
The short answer is yes, it is legal to keep parrots as pets in Kerala, but there are regulations around acquiring and owning them.
Parrots fall under the category of protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This federal law provides protection to many wildlife species in India and regulates their capture, possession, transportation, and trade.
Under the Wildlife Act, protected species like parrots cannot be freely caught, sold, or kept as pets. However, the law does allow for the captive breeding and ownership of protected species, including parrots, under certain conditions.
In Kerala, the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012 also apply to the possession of wildlife including parrots. These rules were enacted by the Kerala government to regulate the ownership and use of protected species.
What conditions and permits are required to own a parrot in Kerala?
To legally acquire and own a parrot as a pet in Kerala, the following conditions must be met:
– The parrot must be captive bred, not wild caught. Capturing native parrots from the wild is illegal.
– Permits and paperwork certifying the parrot is captive bred must be obtained. This includes a certificate from the authorized breeder.
– Importing parrots from other states or countries requires additional permits from the Chief Wildlife Warden.
– Once acquired, the owner must properly register the parrot and obtain a ownership certificate from the forest department.
– Only recognized bird keepers are allowed to sell captive bred parrots in Kerala. Buying from unlicensed sellers is prohibited.
– Owners must ensure proper housing, diet, enrichment and veterinary care for the parrots. Mistreating parrots is punishable under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The relevant permits and paperwork related to captive bred status, trade, ownership and transportation of the parrots must always be retained. The forest department periodically inspects pet parrots and checks for compliance.
Penalties for illegal possession of parrots
Harboring parrots that are illegally caught from the wild or traded can attract stiff penalties under the Wildlife Act. The punishments include:
– Imprisonment for 3 to 7 years
– Monetary fine up to Rs 25,000
– Seizure of the illegally procured parrots
Subsequent offenses can lead to higher prison sentences and fines. Those found in possession of parrots without proper permits and paperwork, even if captive bred, can also face legal action.
Offense | Penalty |
---|---|
Illegal capturing of native parrots from the wild | 3-7 years imprisonment and/or Rs 25,000 fine |
Possessing parrots without ownership certificate | Seizure of parrots and/or fine |
Inhumane treatment or neglect of pet parrots | Up to Rs 2000 fine |
The Kerala Forest Department and police vigorously prosecute unauthorized procurement and trading of protected wildlife like parrots.
Why is parrot ownership and trade regulated?
There are several important reasons why parrot ownership and trade is tightly controlled in India including Kerala:
– Protect native parrot species: Many parakeet species like the endangered Vernal Hanging Parrot, endemic to the Western Ghats region, require protection from excessive trapping for the pet trade. Regulating captive breeding and trade reduces pressure on wild populations.
– Prevent spread of disease: Captive parrots if not properly quarantined are susceptible to deadly contagious diseases like Psittacosis which can spread to wild populations or even humans. Regulating the parrot trade reduces this risk.
– Ensure humane treatment: Tight regulations also crackdown on any mistreatment, neglect or cruelty towards pet parrots which are highly intelligent, social birds requiring specialized care and housing.
– Monitor invasive species: Some parrot species like the African Grey Parrot are not native to India and could become invasive if accidentally released without checks and permits.
– Limit smuggling: Blanket restrictions make it harder for poachers to smuggle trapped wild parrots or those imported without paperwork into the illegal pet trade.
Captive bred vs wild caught parrots
There is an important distinction between parrots that are captive bred, and parrots caught in the wild for the pet trade:
– Captive bred parrots are born and raised domestically by authorized breeders. This avoids depletion of wild populations.
– Wild caught parrots are trapped from forests and natural habitats which can damage ecosystems and threatened species.
– Captive bred birds are properly socialized to humans, less stressed, and healthier than abruptly captured wild parrots.
– Legal captive breeding is regulated to ensure good conditions. Wild captures may involve cruelty and high mortality rates.
For these reasons, captive bred parrots are strongly preferred. Possession of verified captive bred specimens with papers is permitted, while catching and acquiring wild parrots is strictly banned. Legal captive breeding centres also implement conservation, research and welfare programs.
Overview of the parrot trade
The domestic and international trade in live parrots as pets generates annual revenues up to $1.3 billion worldwide according to estimates by World Parrot Trust, a UK based conservation organization.
Some key facts about the global parrot trade:
– Over 40 species are commonly traded worldwide, with cockatoos, Amazon parrots, conures, macaws and African Greys among the most popular taxa.
– Around 5-10 million live parrots may be kept as pets globally based on extrapolated estimates, with the majority in USA, Europe, Mexico, Japan and China.
– The legal trade is supplemented by large volumes of illegal and unreported wild captures feeding the black market.
– Conservative estimates suggest up to 700,000 birds are taken from the wild each year, though the true figure is likely much higher.
– Parrot trapping for trade is one of the leading threats to wild parrot conservation, having already extinguished some species.
– The legal captive breeding industry remains relatively small, producing an estimated 400,000-800,000 birds annually.
– Most breeding centres are located in developed regions like USA, Europe and Australia due to the costs. Only a handful exist in India.
– Smuggled wild caught parrots often end up mixed into the legal trade. DNA testing offers a potential solution for certifying captive bred status.
– Improved regulations, ethically run breeding centres, and reduced consumer demand for wild caught birds are needed to ensure sustainability.
Conclusion
Parrots represent legally restricted, protected species under Indian wildlife laws. While owning captive bred parrots as pets is permissible in Kerala with the proper permits, capturing native parrots from the wild or trading them is punishable by fines and imprisonment. Regulation aims to conserve wild populations, ensure captive bird welfare, reduce disease risks, and limit illegal trafficking. Opting for verified captive bred birds from authorized breeders provides a legal and ethical way to keep parrots as pets responsibly. With improved oversight and enforcement, parrot ownership can be compatible with protecting these unique birds for future generations.