Eight protected turtles rescued in Karnal, 2 held

Karnal wildlife inspector Rajbir Singh said the protected turtles belonged to Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, which prohibits hunting, trade or commercial exploitation of endangered animals and rare species, with punishment ranging from three to seven years

The Haryana Forest Department in coordination with the police and a wildlife rescuer, rescued eight protected turtles from two men in Karnal, officials said on Friday.

The Wildlife wing of the department nabbed two men who owned fish aquarium shops and handed them over to the police. (HT)

The Wildlife wing of the department nabbed two men who owned fish aquarium shops and handed them over to the police.

Sub-inspector Rajesh Kumar, the investigating officer in the case said they arrested Rajan Kumar and Fratul Das, both local residents.

He said they were presented before the police and sent to judicial custody.

The matter came to light on Thursday when an environmental activist and wildlife rescuer from Delhi, Sahil Sharma, reached Karnal after receiving a tip through a comment on one of his Instagram videos.

Sharma said the turtles belonged to two protected species—Indian black-spotted pond turtles and Indian tent turtles—and were found at their aquarium shops.

Karnal wildlife inspector Rajbir Singh said the protected turtles belonged to Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, which prohibits hunting, trade or commercial exploitation of endangered animals and rare species, with punishment ranging from three to seven years.