Delhi Turtle Smuggling: Delhi Police has arrested a 38-year-old man for smuggling 100 turtles, including several endangered species, in Shahdara area. Officials gave this information on Wednesday. Police said that 50 ‘Indian Roofed Turtle’, 45 ‘Black Spotted Pond Turtle’, three ‘Indian Eye Turtle’ and two ‘Indian Softshell Turtle’ have been recovered from the possession of Ghaziabad resident Bheem.
‘Black Spotted Pond Turtle’, ‘Indian Eye Turtle’ and ‘Indian Softshell Turtle’ are among the endangered species that come under Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Surendra Chaudhary said, ‘On Tuesday, Geeta Colony police station received information that a smuggler had come to the area with turtles of endangered species.’
Saw a person carrying a big bag on a scooter
The officer said that a team was formed to arrest the accused. DCP said, ‘At around 1:15 pm, the team saw a person carrying a big bag on a scooter. The suspect was caught after the informant identified the vehicle and its driver.
100 live turtles were recovered
The official said that after a thorough investigation, 100 live turtles were recovered from the bag which were confiscated. Chaudhary said that an FIR has been lodged at the Geeta Colony police station and the wildlife department has been informed. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) (Shahdara) Surendra Chaudhary said that the recovered turtles fall in the “restricted” category, which means Meaning that they cannot be kept as household pets or traded.
Gauri Maulekhi, an animal activist, said that these turtles are mainly trafficked so that they can be sold as pets. “Although they are not legally allowed to be kept as pets, people still buy them illegally on the black market for this very purpose,” he said.
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