Malkangiri: In a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking, forest officials in Odisha’s Malkangiri intercepted and rescued 631 Indian flap-shell turtles, weighing approximately 2.2 tonne, near the border with Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday.
The turtles, a protected species under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, were being smuggled for commercial trade.
According to Malkangiri Divisional Forest Officer Sai Kiran, two individuals from Korkulla village in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district had transported the consignment across the border in a pickup van, intending to sell them to five local residents in Malkangiri.
Acting on credible intelligence, staff from the Motu forest range carried out a raid and successfully intercepted the vehicle. All seven persons, two transporters from Andhra Pradesh and the five buyers from Odisha, were apprehended on the spot. Besides live turtles, 38 plastic trays, 40 gunny bags, six mobile phones, two motorcycles, and the pickup van used for transport were seized.
The rescued turtles and arrested suspects, along with confiscated items, were taken to the Motu range office and a case was registered against them under relevant provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Officials emphasised that the Indian flap-shell turtle, commonly targeted in such operations due to demand in illegal pet trade and other markets, plays a vital role in maintaining freshwater ecosystems. Further investigation is underway to bust the network involved in the illegal trafficking of turtles.
