The mastermind behind the theft of marmosets from the Alipore Zoological Gardens in Kolkata is responsible for the theft of a pair of Military Macaws (worth Rs two lakh) from Kankaria Zoo this February, according to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

The Chhattisgarh Police had nabbed Rajesh Singh alias Sher this August following the theft of seven of the eight rare marmosets (a species of monkeys) from Kolkata.

Rajesh was an old-hand in the business of poaching animals from zoos and had links with wildlife rackets in India and abroad. He has admitted to have indulged in thefts in zoos in Pune, Kolkata, Madhya Pradesh and Ahmedabad.

Incidentally, the CZA had written to the Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner to supply information about the thefts of the Military Macaws.

CZA Evaluation and Monitoring Officer Brij Gupta told Newsline: “Rajesh has admitted that he had stolen animals and birds from four big zoos at Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune and Kananpandari Zoo at Bilaspur.”

He added: “We have written to the Municipal Commissioner seeking further information about the modus operandi and the security aspect of Kankaria Zoo when the Military Macaws were stolen.”

Kankaria Zoo authorities said that before Rajesh was nabbed by Chhatisgarh Police, zoo authorities in Kolkata had contacted them.

Kankaria Zoo Superintendent R K Sahu said: “Rajesh was the only person who was involved in the crime of poaching birds and animals from zoos. The official price of the stolen pair of Military Macaw is at least Rs 1.5 lakh. They can fetch up to Rs 5 lakh in the black market.”

... contd.