Camel gifted to CM M K Stalin now at rescue shelter in Chennai's Uthukottai

CHENNAI: The camel that was gifted to the chief minister M K Stalin on his birthday by a die-hard supporter has been sent to a rescue shelter.
Zakir Sha, a DMK worker from Tiruvannamalai, had gifted the camel to the CM on March 1 this year.
The camel, which is two-year-old, was draped in a red and black shawl and gifted to the chief minister.
On that day, the camel was immediately sent to Anna Arignar Zoological park in Vandalur. However, zoo authorities couldn't keep it there as they didn't have an enclosure for it, partly also because the animal was not quarantined.
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Tanuvas) also refused to take the camel in as they didn't have adequate facilities. It has now been sent to a rescue shelter run by People For Animals, an NGO.
One of the volunteers at PFA stated that the camel is eating well and is healthy. Investigation into whether it was legally brought into the state hasn't begun.
E Prashant, wildlife warden of Chennai, stated that camels are domestic animals just like cow and goat. "It is not a wild animal and hence it doesn't come under the Wildlife Protection Act" he said.
Arun Prasanna, animal activist, said, "Camels don't belong to Tamil Nadu as the climate is different from Rajasthan. The change in weather will have an impact on the camel. There is a state ban in Rajasthan to not export it or smuggle it out of the state. The source of the camel will be questionable and an investigation should be done." He said that it's better that they have been sent to the shelter as PFA already have two camels in its shelter in Uthukottai.