Abhishek-Aishwarya urged to help lovebirds

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai have been approached by PETA to create awareness about the plight of lovebirds.

Mumbai, July 07: Bollywood`s popular couple - Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai - has been approached by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to create awareness about the plight of lovebirds through a special photo shoot."As India`s most famous `lovebirds`, we believe that you are uniquely suited to help bring attention to the plight of these smart and sensitive birds. We would like to arrange a photo shoot with you for a `Love Birds in Cages` ad to raise awareness about the issue," Anuradha Sawhney, PETA India chief functionary, wrote in a letter to Abhishek and Aishwarya .

Lovebirds are small members of the parrot family and the most commonly sold birds for domestic as well as display caging, which is a punishable offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species restricts trading in foreign birds. However, a black market involving 300 of the India`s estimated 1,200 species of birds thrives openly in many places. IANS