In a massive crackdown on illegal wildlife trafficking, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested seven passengers, including a woman, for allegedly smuggling 18 endangered animals in their baggage at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.
On January 22, three people who came from Bangkok, Thailand, were arrested at the airport based on a tip-off that they were smuggling animals.
BCCL
18 smuggled animals found in baggages
A total of 18 creatures were found hidden in boxes in their baggage.
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“Upon examination of their checked-in baggage, it resulted in the recovery of 18 non-indigenous animals (four primates and 14 reptiles) with the assistance of Karnataka Forest Department officials,” a DRI statement said.
BCCL
The recovered animals were handed over to Bannerghatta Biological Park and the interrogation of the passengers resulted in the arrest of four more people.
139 more animals recovered in follow up
It also led the DRI, the Karnataka Forest Department, and WCCB Chennai to uncover a massive illegal wildlife trafficking network.
A raid at a farmhouse in Bengaluru led to the recovery of another 139 animals belonging to 48 different species, including 34 CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora) listed species.
BCCL
This includes extremely rare and threatened species like the Yellow and Green Anaconda, Yellow Headed Amazon Parrot, Nile Monitor, Red Foot Tortoise, Iguanas, Ball Pythons, Alligator Gar, Yaki Monkey, Veiled Chameleon, Racoon Dog, White Headed Piones, etc.
Recovered animals had no documents
“Those in possession of these animals neither had any documents of the wildlife items nor any filings under Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (Wildlife Division), Voluntary Disclosure Scheme till its extended deadline of March, 2021 were available,” the statement read.
But, evidence of financial transactions to source non-indigenous wildlife through the route of smuggling, transactions on WhatsApp, and other social media platforms have been unearthed, it added.
BCCL
The import of wild animals, including their parts and products, is prohibited in the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
Wildlife trafficking to and from India
However, the smuggling of exotic species, especially those kept as pets, is rampant in the country.
Wildlife trafficking in India involves both the import and export of exotic species and the country is also a major ‘transit hub’ for such activities.
AFP
Tortoises, birds including cockatoos and macaws, civets and snakes smuggled from Southeast Asia are the most trafficked species into India.
The India Star tortoises, pangolins, sea horses, and ornamental fish such as the snakehead and the zebra loach are the most illegally trafficked species from India.
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