Khordha: A total of 1,448 Indian flapshell turtles were seized from a vehicle in Khurda district on Sunday.
This was informed by Susanta Kumar Bandha, the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of Khordha Forest Division.
Speaking to the media, the ACF stated that 1,346 of the turtles were alive.
“A senior intelligence officer from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) informed us that they had intercepted a vehicle with a West Bengal registration number. The vehicle was traveling from Andhra Pradesh to West Bengal when it was stopped near the Godipada toll gate. During the search, officials discovered that Indian flapshell turtles were being transported. A total of 1,346 live turtles and 102 dead ones were recovered from the vehicle,” he said.
The turtles were being transported illegally in 71 trays, along with fish. The DRI team seized the vehicle and the driver, identified as Mahadev Dey, was arrested.
Further investigations are underway.
