In a joint rescue operation, RAWW along with the Maharashtra Forest Department seized two monkeys kept in captivity from Bhandup West.

A local resident of Hanuman Nagar, Bhandup West claims to have found both the monkeys in an abandoned state around his vicinity in 2018.

He claims that the monkeys (baby then) were injured and so he rescued them, did their first-aid and started taking their care by feeding them daily.

However, without informing the forest department, both the monkeys were kept in captivity for over two years. He would occasionally unchain them to move freely.

As the monkeys started to grow, multiple conflict situation arose as the other residents started to complain when the monkeys entered their homes and in few occasions claimed to have bitten few other residents.

Today afternoon, the Round Forest Officer Sameer Inamdar, Forester Pawan Waghmare from the Mumbai Range, Forest dept. and our Rescue Team visited the man's residence and made him surrender both the monkeys.

The man claims that he was not aware about the laws and realized his mistake.

Both the monkeys were immediately taken to Thane SPCA for a detailed medical examination. An official complaint has been lodged against the man and investigation is underway to find out more details.