Kiphire Wildlife Division (KWD), department of environment, forest and climate change has released a pair of rhesus macaque at Nagaland Zoological Park (NZP), Dimapur.
In a press release, KWD wildlife warden M. Limaba said the department was informed of a pair of primates being held “captive” by some individuals at Phek town. The warden said on August 8 a team visited the location and on investigation found that the primates were being reared as pets by a family. The family then donated the pair to the team after being assured that the primates would be well looked after at Nagaland Zoological Park, Dimapur.
Meanwhile, the warden has cautioned that holding “wild animal in unsanctioned captivity” was punishable under the provisions of Wildlife Protection Act.