(IN): Leave animals alone

[Guest guest]

Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1150940

 

Leave animals alone

Thursday, February 14, 2008 21:55 IST

 

 

With reference to 'So you like animals in films, do you? Read this' (DNA,

February 14), I disagree with Colonel Khanna. I am not an animal lover, but

I would like to share an experience — I was on a college trip to Lonavala

and we watched a song being shot.

 

There were white doves in the background and we were amazed to see them so

well trained. I learned that the reason they were not flying was because

their wings were clipped. The birds had been there since morning and I could

imagine their plight. I was really ashamed of myself — I didn't speak up.

 

I think organisations like PETA are doing a great job by making sure the

laws are enforced. No one spares a thought for these unfortunate creatures.

It's time everyone knew what actually happens behind the scenes.

*Preeti Pai, via email*

 

*------------------------------*

 

Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1150747

 

So you like animals in films, do you? Read this

**

 

Anjali Thomas

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 03:43 IST

 

The Wildlife Protection Act is so strict that filmmakers using animals, have

to look overseas for locations

 

While making the movie Kaal (2005), which was set in the Jim Corbett

National Park in Uttranchal, director Soham Shah imported three tigers -

with their trainers - from the United States. But he shot the film in

Bangkok.

 

" The script called for tigers, and in India, the laws are so strict that it

would have been virtually impossible to depict animals that fall in the

endangered species category under the Wildlife Protection Act, " he says.

Today Shah can see the humour in the situation, but three years ago, he

wasn't laughing.

 

Despite the laws, the film industry's use of animals has once again come to

the fore after reports that many of the exotic birds used in Ashutosh

Gowarikar's film Jodha Akbar were allegedly ill-treated, resulting in their

deaths. " The laws are in place, but they need to be enforced strictly, " says

Jaya Simha, campaign manager, PETA.

 

For one, all trainers have to be registered with the Animal Welfare Board of

India (AWBI). When a director wishes to use an animal under the Wildlife

Protection Act, he has to get permission, from the AWBI, and the Wildlife

Authority.

 

The animals must be treated well.

 

But the reality is sometimes a different story. " It's not just about what's

happening on the sets. It's also about ensuring that the animal suppliers

are taking care of their wards. In our investigations, we have come across

cases where elephants have been chained and animals beaten and underfed, "

says Simha.

 

" During the shoot, it's all right if you're using the animals for just an

hour or so. But you need to take care of their needs if you're using them

over an extended period of time. "

For this, the SPCA works with the AWBI, and inspectors are required to visit

the sets and monitor the animal's condition. In Mumbai, the onus rests on

the shoulders of Colonel Khanna (ret) and his team.

 

" We send our inspectors, who then file a report. If anything is amiss or the

animal is not well, we take immediate action and confiscate them, " he says.

 

The colonel takes a pragmatic view of the situation: " For the suppliers, the

animals are their bread and butter, so it's not often that they ill-treat

them. Nobody wants to work with a sick bird or animal. But yes, there is

room for improvement. "

 

Today, by law at least, it is extremely difficult to use animals that fall

under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

 

These include parakeets, monkeys, snakes et al. Soham says that the tigers

were better off than most of the crew. " Given the option, most directors

would not work with animals, simply because of these laws. We don't

ill-treat them, and there should be more coordination between the authority

and the film industry. "

 

The AWBI will issue a performance certificate only after ensuring that the

owner has obtained the animal legally. But the red tape also serves as a

deterrent to many a director. " You know, you'll never see a movie like

Haathi Mere Saathi being made today, " says Soham.

 

t_anjali

 

 

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