PCCF to Press Council: Ban wild animals on TV shows

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The Karnataka Forest Department has written to the Press Council of India to ban display of wild animals and snakes on television channels.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife) B.K. Singh has written to Justice Markandeya Katju, Chairman, Press Council of India, stating that the possession of wild animals for television shows is a crime under the Wildlife Protection Act and channels with such shows must be warned.

Last month, officials of the CID Forest Cell raided a Kannada TV channel and arrested three persons for carrying cobras. They raided Rockline studio in Nagasandra near Tumkur Road where shooting for a reality show using snakes was going on. A notice was also served to the show producers and the channel management.

“Displaying any wildlife under controlled conditions for commercial use is banned. The animals undergo tremendous stress in front of light and people around them. The possession of any wildlife is illegal if not certified by the department. We have no facility to rent out wild animals for TV shows,” said Mr B K Singh.
He noted that an amendment will be sought to restrict street shows involving animals and snakes.

“Dancing bears/ monkey and snake charmers are banned under the law. But snake charmers surface around temples. They supply snakes to reality shows and film shootings,” he added.

Wildlife expert Praveen Bhargav said mere possession of any wildlife is an offence under law. “Be it a wild animal or a dead specimen, it requires a possession certificate from the Chief Wildlife Warden. If there is no such certificate and, worse, the animals are badly handled, it is an offence. There are instances where one can possess a wildlife article unknowingly. But showing them on screen should be avoided. More awareness is required in this regard,” he said.