54 exotic birds smuggled from Bangladesh, seized by BSF in West Bengal

At least 54 exotic birds smuggled from Bangladesh were seized by India's Border Security Force (BSF) in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district.

The birds, kept in two iron cages, were found by BSF personnel during an operation last night at Shah Para village in Tentulberia area of the district, the BSF said in a statement.

The birds -- 11 Chattering lory; 13 Red-and-blue lory; eight each Black-capped lory, Violet-necked lory and Black lorry; and six Brown lorry -- were handed over to Alipore Zoological Garden authorities in Kolkata, it said.

Zoo Director Ashis Samanta said the birds would be kept under the observation of veterinarians for about a month since they were kept in "not so ideal conditions".

The traffickers, who had smuggled the birds into India, managed to escape.