Chennai, Jan 5 : Officials of the Chennai Air Cargo customs today
seized 1,364 live star tortoises which were being smuggled to Malaysia
from an export consignment at air cargo export shed here.
An official release said, based on specific intelligence, the Air cargo customs
officers intercepted an export consignment, suspected to contain wildlife
species at Air Cargo Export Shed, which was destined for Malaysia.
As per Export Document (Shipping Bill), goods were declared as 230 kgs of
live crab.
The subject shipment was Risk Management System(RMS) facilitated which
was not meant for examination.
However, on examination of the shipment, it was found that seven out of the
13 packages were containing a total of 1,364 live Indian star tortoises.
These Star Tortoises are listed as an endangered species in CITES (Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species) Appendix-I and are covered under
Schedule-IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
After the examination of shipment, the live star tortoises were handed over to
the Tamil Nadu Forest Department for rehabilitation in their natural habitat.
Further investigation is in progress.(UNI)