A criminal syndicate involved in the theft and illegal trafficking of exotic birds has been dismantled. The birds, which were stolen from a rescue facility in Karjat, were sold in Chennai to a breeder. The operation was exposed and broken up by the Raigad police and forest department in collaboration with NGOs dedicated to wildlife conservation.

The 12 birds that were stolen include one Blue Gold Macaw, one Scarlett Macaw, one Mollucan Cockatoo and nine African grey parrots.