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Smuggled rare birds culled at Kathmandu airport
http://english.people.com.cn/200703/31/eng20070331_362729.html
Central Animal Quarantine Office(CAQO) of Nepal killed and buried 245 birds of rare species on Thursday night on the premises of Tribhuvan International Airport, in a bid to keep at bay the possibility of bird flu, local newspaper The Himalayan Times reported on Saturday.
The illegally imported rare birds were passed by the customs office but were caught by the District Forest Officers on the airport. However, the owner of the birds managed to escape the scene.
"We killed the birds as the government had prohibited import of any living or dead birds from Pakistan, fearing bird flu," said the chief veterinarian at CAQO Balaram Thapa on Friday, adding that the culling took place after long discussion and verbal agreement among the authorities concerned.
The species of birds, mainly belonging to parrot families and believed to be of African origin, were brought to Kathmandu on Pakistan International Airlines flight number PK 268 in four cages. They were in possession of Ahned Shaikh Wahee, who was let off by the customs officers without inquiring about the necessary documents.
According to Animal Health and Animal Service Act of Nepal, one needs to acquire government approval before importing live animals from foreign countries and must produce International Animal Health Certificate from the country of origin, which makes that country responsible in the case of any epidemic outburst.
In addition, according to National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029, the importer should bring CITES (Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species) certificates from the country of origin when importing such endangered wild animals.
"The birds were imported without any such documents," said Thapa.
Source: Xinhua
http://english.people.com.cn/200703/31/eng20070331_362729.html
Central Animal Quarantine Office(CAQO) of Nepal killed and buried 245 birds of rare species on Thursday night on the premises of Tribhuvan International Airport, in a bid to keep at bay the possibility of bird flu, local newspaper The Himalayan Times reported on Saturday.
The illegally imported rare birds were passed by the customs office but were caught by the District Forest Officers on the airport. However, the owner of the birds managed to escape the scene.
"We killed the birds as the government had prohibited import of any living or dead birds from Pakistan, fearing bird flu," said the chief veterinarian at CAQO Balaram Thapa on Friday, adding that the culling took place after long discussion and verbal agreement among the authorities concerned.
The species of birds, mainly belonging to parrot families and believed to be of African origin, were brought to Kathmandu on Pakistan International Airlines flight number PK 268 in four cages. They were in possession of Ahned Shaikh Wahee, who was let off by the customs officers without inquiring about the necessary documents.
According to Animal Health and Animal Service Act of Nepal, one needs to acquire government approval before importing live animals from foreign countries and must produce International Animal Health Certificate from the country of origin, which makes that country responsible in the case of any epidemic outburst.
In addition, according to National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029, the importer should bring CITES (Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species) certificates from the country of origin when importing such endangered wild animals.
"The birds were imported without any such documents," said Thapa.
Source: Xinhua
