The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), along with officials from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), caught two people who were in possession of 65 protected turtles. Acting on a tip-off, the joint team apprehended the accused and discovered that they were illegally transporting and trading these rare species.
Case Registered Under Wildlife Protection Act
After the arrest, the CBI registered a case against the two accused under various sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including Sections 51, 39, 44, 48A, 49, and 49B. These sections cover offenses related to the illegal possession, transportation, and trade of wildlife species protected under the Act.
Details of Seized Turtles
The authorities seized a total of 65 turtles from the accused:
- 50 Indian Roofed Turtles (Pangshura tecta)
- 15 Spotted Pond Turtles (Geoclemys hamiltonii)
Both of these species are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which means they are highly endangered and receive the highest level of legal protection in India.
Since the turtles were alive at the time of the seizure, they were handed over to the Delhi Zoo to ensure their proper care and safe upkeep.
The CBI is continuing its investigation to trace the source of the turtles, identify any other people involved in the illegal wildlife trade, and track the money trail connected to this case. Authorities are also trying to establish any backward or forward linkages that may lead to a larger wildlife trafficking network.
