Animal News (Except Bigcats)

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WCCB seizes wildlife species in joint raid

The western region of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, in a joint raid with Maharashtra forest department, seized two live baby crocodiles, 19 Indian tent turtles, 15 Indian star tortoises and 15 red eared sliders - an exotic species. 

The raid, led by BN Patil, deputy conservator of forests, Borivili division, alongwith the team from Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), was conducted at Thakur village in Kandivili (Mumbai) on July 18. Another team of WCCB was led by regional deputy director (western region) M Maranko. Wildlife inspectors Doki Adimallaiah and Rakesh Burman also took part. 

Crocodiles and Indian tent turtles are listed in Schedule I and star tortoise are listed in Schedule IV of the wildlife (protection) act, 1972. Trade, possession, transport, sale or offer of sale of an animal species listed in Schedule I attracts minimum 3 years and maximum 7 years of punishment, which may extend to three years. 

Three persons were arrested including main accused Immanvel Raja (28) of Dharavi, who transported live animals in his uncle Peppin's autorickshaw. After interrogation, another accused Rishi Jaiswal, who works in an aquarium shop at Kurla East, was also arrested and all the three were produced before the court. 

Maranko said WCCB received intelligence information which was shared with the state forest department and the joint raid was organized to nab the culprits involved in selling and smuggling of live animals. 


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/...802992.cms
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