Major Wildlife Trafficking Bid Foiled: 302 Indian Tent Turtles Rescued in Cuttack Operation

Cuttack: In a significant breakthrough, authorities have successfully thwarted a major wildlife trafficking attempt, seizing 302 Indian tent turtles from a vehicle at a toll gate in Odisha’s Cuttack. The Forest Department, in collaboration with revenue intelligence officials, intercepted the vehicle near Manguli Toll Plaza and apprehended three individuals involved in the illicit transportation of these turtles, classified as a schedule-I species under the Wildlife Protection Act.

The turtles, destined for Bengaluru from West Bengal via road, were concealed in an airbag. The seized vehicle is now in custody, and the suspects are undergoing interrogation to glean more insights into the illegal trade, as confirmed by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Susanta Nanda.