Mumbai: Another e-commerce platform has pulled glue traps from its listings following intervention by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, which said the products are banned in most parts of the country.Quick-commerce platform Zepto has stopped the online sale of glue traps after PETA India flagged that the manufacture, sale and use of the devices are prohibited across 32 states and Union territories. The organisation also highlighted the indiscriminate and cruel nature of glue traps, which can ensnare birds, mice, kittens, lizards and other small animals, often leaving them to die a slow and painful death.Confirming the move, Zepto said it is strengthening its internal checks to identify and remove such listings more effectively in the future.“We are happy that Zepto has shown sensitivity and compassion by banning glue traps. These sticky pads often fatally trap mice, lizards, birds and snakes, leaving them to slowly starve to death,” a PETA India spokesperson said.Zepto joins a growing list of retailers that have removed glue traps after being approached by PETA India. Online marketplaces Amazon India, Flipkart, Meesho, Snapdeal and JioMart have also delisted the products, while retail chains Rajmandir Hypermarket and Wellness Forever have stopped selling them across their stores.“Zepto’s compassionate decision will spare countless animals, including rats, birds, bats, kittens and squirrels, from being caught in glue traps and suffering excruciating deaths,” said Umang Sharma, Corporate Affairs Liaison at PETA India.PETA India said glue traps are not a sustainable solution for rodent control and urged households and businesses to adopt humane methods such as removing food sources, sealing waste bins and blocking entry points to prevent infestations. — Vijay Singh
