Small sparrows are kept in cages near shrines in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The birds are captured and sold to the faithful in order to be released in a ri

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Small sparrows are kept in cages near shrines in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The birds are captured and sold to the faithful in order to be released in a ritual called "merit releasing", which involves the person making a wish and asking for forgiveness before releasing the bird. However, the practice is damaging to wildlife, as many of the birds are injured or die of stress kept in such conditions. Only the healthy birds get sold, whereas the others are ignored and discarded on the streets.

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Size: 7360px × 4912px
Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Photo credit: © Nando Machado / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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