Balasore: A wildlife smuggler was arrested and 25 monitor lizards, two turtles, and a rare water bird were seized from his possession in Odisha’s Balasore district.
The accused, who reportedly hails from West Bengal, was caught by railway police at Jaleswar railway station while taking the animals in a train.
Acting on a tip-off about the smuggling of reptiles and birds, the railway police launched an operation and the accused was nabbed.
On being informed, the forest department officials reached the spot, rescued the animals. A case has been registered against the accused as per the Wildlife Protection Act.
Further investigation is in progress to ascertain involvement of others in the racket.
