Nabarangpur: The Forest Department seized 30 live turtles and arrested one person during a late-night operation in the Kangra section under the Jharigaon range in Nabarangpur district on Friday.
Acting on a tip-off about illegal wildlife transportation, forest officials laid an ambush in the area on Thursday night. When a motorcycle carrying suspected wildlife passed through the stretch, the team intercepted the vehicle.
During the operation, officials recovered 30 live turtles being illegally transported. One person was apprehended on the spot, while another person reportedly managed to escape with the vehicle.
According to forest officials, preliminary investigation revealed that the turtles were brought from Kalahandi and were allegedly being transported for illegal sale in the Raighar market.
“We have seized 30 live turtles and detained one person. He will be produced before the court today. The turtles were brought from Kalahandi and were intended for sale in the Raighar market, as per his statement. He is a habitual offender,” said Nabarangpur Assistant Conservator of Forests Divya Madhuri Sethi.
