Andhra Pradesh Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) officials have arrested one person for allegedly smuggling star tortoises, an endangered species that has been listed in the Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1974.
Smuggler arrested in Andhra Pradesh:
Selvakumar was detained and later handed over to the forest department officials for further legal action. A case has been registered under various sections of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
The officials also rescued 250 Star tortoises.
Other incident:
In another incident, Forest Department personnel in East Godawari in Orissa seized as many as 414 live endangered Indian star tortoises from a gang.
About the raid:
The Gokavaram Forest Range staff, led by Forest Ranger V. Durga Kumar Babu, nabbed the gang members during a raid near the Burugupudi forest check-post in East Godavari district in the early hours.
According to Mr. Durga Kumar Babu, the arrested were identified as S. Sali and Viswajeet Mandal of Odisha. The tortoises will be released into the river Godavari.
“Cases under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, were registered against the gang members. They were produced before a local court and investigation is on,” said Mr. Durga Kumar Babu.
