Chennai, Feb 8 (BPNS)
After the Tamil Nadu forest special squad arrested two persons including a juvenile for catching and smuggling turtles, illegally, the forest department has upped its ante against poaching of turtles.
A special team of the forest department conducted a vehicle inspection and apprehended two people including a juvenile who were traveling in a two-wheeler. The squad apprehended the two after receiving specific inputs that turtles were being illegally poached and smuggled.
Forest special squad on searching the vehicle found that there were three plastic containers in which turtle hatchlings were present.
Officials of the special squad told IANS that 18 turtle hatchlings were seized which included 17 Indian black turtles and 1 Indian flap shell turtle.
These turtles are listed under Wild Life Protection Act 1972 Schedule I&II. While the minor boy is lodged in an observation home, legal action is taken against the other person.
The Tamil Nadu forest department has constituted special squads to prevent the poaching and smuggling of wild animals in the endangered species. It has been reported earlier of birds like parakeets were smuggled abroad and the international airports in Tamil Nadu had turned a hub for the smuggling of wildlife both into the country and outside.
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