Malkangiri: In a major success against wildlife smuggling, Forest Department officials on Friday seized 473 live turtles of rare species while being transported illegally in Motu area of Odisha’s Malkangiri district.
While the smugglers managed to escape, Forest department officials successfully seized the turtles and the vehicle used for transportation.
Sources said the seizure was made during a special operation carried out based on a tip-off from reliable sources. A team of forest department laid a trap at the Motu checkpoint. At around 3 am, the team members intercepted the vehicle and found the turtles hidden in 13 sacks. The turtles were being transported from Andhra Pradesh to Odisha. The occupants in the vehicle managed to flee the spot.
The seized turtles and the vehicle have been kept at the MV-79 forest office. The forest department is conducting further investigation into the matter.
It may be noted that Odisha’s forest department engages specialised teams and inter-agency coordination to combat wildlife crime. As per the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, turtle trafficking carries up to 7 years imprisonment and Rs 25,000 fines. Recent amendments mandate stricter penalties for exotic species smuggling.
