Bhubaneswar: Hundreds of turtles being transported illegally were seized from a vehicle in Godipada area of Odisha’s Khurda district on Sunday.
As per preliminary information, the seizure was made after the tollgate staff at Godipada on National Highway number 16 turned suspicious when the vehicle was passing through the route.
After the vehicle was checked, the staff found a large number of turtles neatly packed in at least 400 special trays.
On being informed, Forest department officials from Tangi range of Khurda Forest Division reached the site and seized the turtles along with the vehicle. One person has been detained in connection with the incident.
The turtles were sent to Bhusandpur beat house and further investigation is in progress.
Notably, the seized turtles belong to a vulnerable species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. Keeping these Schedule-I animals is a punishable offence under the Wildlife Protection Act, sources said.
