Hyderabad: 7 Held For Exhibiting Exotic Animals At Pub In Jubilee Hills

Hyderabad police, along with Telangana Forest Department officials, on Tuesday began an inquiry into the allegations of a display of exotic wildlife species at a pub in Jubilee Hills.

The owner of a pub and six others were on Tuesday apprehended for allegedly putting on display exotic wildlife species at a night club in Hyderabad.(Representational image)

Seven people, including the owner of a pub, were arrested for allegedly putting on display exotic wildlife species at a nightclub in the Jubilee Hills area of Hyderabad without valid permission, as reported by the news agency PTI. Hyderabad police, along with Telangana Forest Department officials, on Tuesday began an inquiry into the allegations of a display of exotic wildlife species at an event in Xora Pub at Alcazar Mall in Jubilee Hills after a social media user complained in this regard.

They conducted a raid at a 'Hyderabad Exotic Pets' store in the Saidabad area, from where they rescued 14 Persian cats, three Bengal cats, two iguana lizards, a pair of cockatoos, two sugar gliders, sun conure parrots, and ball pythons from the accused.

P Radha Kishan Rao, Deputy Commissioner of Police (OSD), Commissioner's Task Force, said that the owner of the pub engaged event organisers to conduct a ‘Wild Night’ event on May 28 to attract customers.

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The pub owner hosted the ‘Wild Night’ party to attract customers and gain publicity for his pub. Bengal cats, ball pythons, and iguanas were displayed at the pub without any valid permission, Kishan Rao said. His employees and event organisers, who include managers of the pub,the owner of the pet store, and sellers of pet animals, put together the exhibit of wild animals for the pub’s customers for the special event.

The DCP stated that the detained accused and rescued animals were handed over to the Forest Department Police for further action.

Earlier, a social media user had shared photos and videos of the exotic creatures, including a snake and a cat, on the platform, stating that the nightclub put up exotic wildlife for display on their premises and requested the police initiate the necessary action. 

Responding to the tweet, Special Chief Secretary of Urban Development, Arvind Kumar, requested the police and forest officials to take action.