Hyderabad, June 4 -- An adult rhesus macaque who was illegally held captive, chained, and used for performances in a moving circus in Hyderabad was rescued by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, working with local activist Gayatri Sanguo, Hyderabad Police and the Hyderabad Forest Division, the organisation said on Thursday, June 4.

The monkey has been shifted to People for Animals Hyderabad's shelter for urgent primary care. Forest officials are now taking the necessary steps to release the animal back into a natural habitat.

In 1998, the central government issued a notification prohibiting the use of monkeys for performances under Section 22 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

Moreover, the rhesus ...