Animal Rescues in Bangalore

And for the rescue of more exotic animals, you can call the Wildlife Wing of CUPA (Compassion Unlimited Plus Action).
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Sanober Bharucha, an active and extremely compassionate member of Compassion For Animals Plus Action (CUPA)in Bangalore, is justifiably proud of doing her pretty big bit for the conservation of wildlife.

CUPA Persuades the Forest Departments of Karnataka and Orissa

A baby Giant Monitor Lizard which had grown too big to manage for its owner (who had bought it from a local pet shop), was handed over to the CUPA Wildlife Wing. Mr. Salim Hameed, a reptile expert took care of it for two years, feeding it on a rich diet of eggs and other nutritious stuff. He made sure that it would have no trouble fitting into its wild, new environment when it was released into its natural habitat in Orissa.

CUPA managed to persuade for the first time, the Forest Departments of Karnataka and Orissa to grant permission for the reptile's historic journey from the very South to the North East of India.

On 8th October 1999, the Giant Monitor Lizard was put into a large crate specially designed for its comfort and loaded onto a train in Bangalore. Escorting him were the volunteers, Mr. Salim Hameed and Mr. Roshan Kumar.

After a long two-day journey, they reached Bittarkanika, Orissa where the volunteers had a harrowing task convincing the Forest Officials to release the reptile into its natural habitat instead of exhibiting it in the local Zoo. Finally, the Authorities agreed and the reptile was successfully released into the river where it joined other Monitor Lizards.

Come to think of it, I didn't even know there are Giant Monitor Lizards in Orissa, or that they live in rivers, or that you could get one in a pet shop in Bangalore! Of course, no one should buy one if he finds one. We must all do our little bit to save exotic species.

The entire Project cost CUPA over Rs.50,000/- and it was a major task successfully completed. So think of all the animals you could help save by donating whatever you can to CUPA.

CUPA expresses gratitude to Mr. Chakrabarti, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Karnataka and PCCF, Orissa for making the historic journey of this Giant Monitor Lizard possible.

Otters in Karnataka

I didn't know that you could find the charming otter in India either till Sanober told me the following story:
Mr. Salim Hameed found an orphaned otter, kept her in her natural environment and taught her to hunt for herself. She was a playful creature and loved to soak herself in a tub he kept specially for her. Mr. Hamid and Ms Arthi Devraj successfully released the otter into the River Cauvery on 13 December, 1999, after almost a year of careful nurturing.

The Carnivorous Hakki Pikki Tribe
The Hakki-Pikki Tribals of Karnataka are known to hunt protected species, says Sanober. I have something to add to this since I have been to a Hakki-Pikki colony somewhere in the hills of Bannergahtta. The villagers in these parts claim that the carnivorous tribals kidnap dogs in order to use them as bait for wild animals that they eat. They are said to eat almost anything that moves, even monkeys! What's more, they also fool people who collect tiger skins and nails. CUPA confiscated dog skins and nails that were dyed to mimic tiger skins and nails.

No wonder we lost one of the dogs from our farm in Bannerghatta. May the Hakki-Pikki tribe decrease.