77 turtles seized in Malkangiri, 3 detained
77 turtles seized in Malkangiri, 3 detained
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Malkangir: On Sunday, 77 turtles of rare species were saved by sleuths from the Odisha forest department in the Malkangiri district, and three people were arrested.
In response to specific information, a group of forest department representatives began an operation in the MV 79 region and stopped an Andhra Pradesh-bound automobile. According to authorities, the rare turtles were found after a thorough inspection of the vehicles.
From the neighbouring state, the exotic animals were being brought into Odisha illegally. Some of the 77 turtles that were found were thought to have perished in transit.
The three individuals being detained by the forest officials are being questioned as part of an inquiry into the incident.
Around a fortnight after over 350 turtles were saved by forest officials during a raid at a village in the Kalimela area of the district in August, the unusual animals were found.
Due to consumption and illegal trading, the wild survival of turtles is severely threatened, and their population is rapidly declining. For the past few years, there have been numerous turtle traffickers operating in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
According to authorities, the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 makes it a non-bailable offence to smuggle turtles, a Class I species of aquatic mammal. They added that turtles are utilised for food, medicine, and other uses.
