Live turtles weighing 4000 kg seized in Amethi; Poachers arrested

The Times of India , Thursday, January 12, 2017
Correspondent : Aditya Dev
AGRA: In one of India's largest wildlife seizures, over 4000 kg of live turtles were seized from wildlife traffickers. The count of 6430 turtles all endangered soft shell and flap shell turtles protected under the Wildlife Protection Act were stuffed into large bags and being smuggled to Kolkata which is a hub for turtle trade in India.

The wildlife traffickers were intercepted by the UP Police's elite Special Task Force team in Gauri Ganj located in the Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh. One person was arrested while the two others gave the authorities the slip. On interrogation by the police, the arrested suspect confessed that he was a part of a larger interstate wildlife trafficking network.

The turtles are currently awaiting a release order from the court after which the Chief Wildlife Warden of Uttar Pradesh will order the release of the turtles back into their natural habitat.

Arvind Chaturvedi, head of UP Special Task Force said, "This is not just a crime but also damage to the ecological balance. This is a big win for us as the STF is committed to control such illegal activities."

Mr Umendra Sharma, chief wildlife warden, Uttar Pradesh forest department said, "The turtles are currently kept under observation. We will release the turtles back into the wild once we receive a court order."

Kartick Satyanarayan, CEO of Wildlife SOS "We commend the STF for intercepting this consignment. We have offered our assistance to the Chief Wildlife Warden to help rehabilitate these turtles and place them back in the wild. Mostly traded for body parts believed to have medicinal properties, these turtles are protected under Indian law.

Wildlife SOS co-founder, Geeta Seshamani said, "Illegal trade of endangered turtle species continues to be prevalent in India on account of various superstitious myths and beliefs attributed to them. Awareness regarding the illegality of wildlife crime offences is important to curb poaching of wild animals."

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/4000-kilos-of-live-turtles-seized-in-amethi-poachers-arrested/articleshow/56480222.cms?
 


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