Idukki: In a major wildlife protection operation, three women from Tamil Nadu were arrested for attempting to sell exotic parakeets in Kattappana. Forest officials seized 139 parakeets, crammed into small cages, during the raid.

The accused have been identified as Jaya (50) and Ilavanchi (45) from Kottur, Pollachi and Usha Chandrasekharan (41) from Karur, Pollachi. They were apprehended by a joint team from the Idukki Flying Squad and the Kattappana Forest Camp at Kamakshi Prakash.

According to forest officials, the women arrived early morning by bus from Pollachi, carrying the birds hidden in cages. They had planned to sell the parakeets at Kamakshi Prakash, pricing each pair between ₹400 and ₹600. During interrogation, the women admitted to purchasing the birds for ₹100 each from local bird catchers in Pollachi.

The rescued birds have been identified as rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri), easily recognised by the distinctive red ring around their necks. These birds are listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which prohibits their possession, sale, or captivity. Offenders face imprisonment ranging from three to seven years, Ayyappankovil Range Officer K V Ratheesh told Onmanorama.

The birds had reportedly been collected over time and stockpiled for mass transport. Six of the 139 birds were found dead. The remaining were examined by a veterinary surgeon at the Kanchiyar Animal Hospital. Following legal procedures, the surviving birds will be released into the Idukki forest.

The arrests were made following a tip-off. The operation was led by Range Officer T Litesh, Deputy Range Officer Saji Thomas, Section Forest Officer B Santosh, Beat Officer Aneesh, and watchers T P Vincent and T R Omana. The women will be produced before the Kattappana court today. Further interrogation will be conducted under the supervision of the District Forest Officer (DFO).