AR-News: (PK) Save you r soul — Lahore’s cagey bi rd trade

[Animalconcerns]

LAHORE: Free the parrots, beseeched a birdman on the streets of bustling
Liberty Market. Sure enough, a car pulled up and the negotiations began.

Brothers Tausif and Mansab Tariq of London agreed on two parrots at Rs 50
each. The birdman reached into his crammed cage and held out two squirming
green lives. The brothers cupped the tiny heads, and the birds were set free.

This is how many birdmen in the city make their living. They take money
from passers-by to free finches, pigeons and parrots. The men and women
who pay for the birds’ freedom are told this act would gain them the
blessings of God.
...
“The government does not give us enough money to do our work and we also
lack staff to patrol Lahore,” said Mr Ahmed. The organisation has only
five people to patrol the streets, he said, expressing surprise that the
practice of freeing birds for salvation was taking place in the upscale
environs of Liberty Market. Birdman Mr Gill breathed a sigh of relief and
said the fines and patrols were few and far between. “We recognise the
officials,” he said of the animal rights activists. “Sometimes they catch
us. Usually, when we see them, we run.”

full story:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_20-1-2004_pg7_26

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