Twenty-three rare tortoises seized in New Delhi
New
Delhi: Police seized 23 rare tortoises in New Delhi on Tuesday and
arrested three persons involved in the smuggling. The rare tortoises of
"Indian Tent" group were recovered in a raid at the premises of the trio,
who were selling them for a premium. "As per information we have arrested
three people from a bus terminal who were selling tortoises. We have seized
23 tortoises in all which are a rare species of tortoises. Three people
Shabbir, Nadim and Sageer, all local residents, have been booked under
the Wildlife Act of 1972. Investigations are on," said Devesh Chandra
Srivastva, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Delhi (North East). "I bought
19 turtles for rupees 100 (2.2 dollars) and was going to sell them, but
the police caught me," said Shabbir. There is a huge demand for these
rare species of tortoises, having distinct star marks on their shells,
in the international market. They are used as pets and serve as a delicacy
in the west. Trade of tortoises is banned under the 1972 Wildlife Protection
Act but the huge premium and lax laws are increasingly luring poachers
to the trade.
- Nov 14, 2006
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