Recently, videos of wild animals being kept in domestic conditions have reappeared in the Tajik segment of social networks. On the Instagram page of a resident of Istaravshan in the Sughd province, under the nickname umed_jigarfootage was published showing a fox cub tied to a chain. Additionally, his page also features a video of an owl, which, judging by the comments, he offers for sale.
Animal welfare advocates urge law enforcement and relevant environmental services to investigate this account for possible illegal possession and trade of wild fauna.
Social networks are once again discussing the possible illegal keeping of wild animals in domestic conditions. The reason was a post by animal welfare advocates calling on the law enforcement agencies of the Sughd province to check a resident of Istaravshan who published a video with a fox cub on his Instagram.
According to the author of the publication, the animal in the footage may be subject to cruel treatment. Animal welfare advocates demand to seize the wild animal and check if the owner has other representatives of wild fauna.
“What kind of trend is this to keep wild animals at home and then brag about it on the internet?! And no punishment, no accountability for such actions! And all this is openly broadcast on the network! Look at how many followers this person has and how many likes his posts get! Wild animals are protected by law and there is punishment for this!”, – says the appeal.
Additionally, the same user’s page features a video of an owl. Judging by the comments under the post, the bird is ready to be sold, being called “domestic.”
According to the law of Tajikistan “On the Animal World,” objects of wild nature are under state protection, and their removal from the natural environment is allowed only in accordance with the law and with the appropriate permits. The law also provides for restrictions and prohibitions on the capture and keeping of wild animals.
This is not the first such case involving wild animals. In October last year, Asia-Plus reported on the sale of lion cubs through social networks. At that time, an Instagram user openly advertised newborn lion cubs. Despite public outcry, there was no official response or information about any punishment that followed.
The Asia-Plus editorial team urges law enforcement and relevant environmental services to investigate this account for possible illegal trade in wild animals and birds, as well as to provide a legal assessment of these actions.
