6 held for wildlife trafficking, 53 animals rescued

The arrested individuals were part of an interstate wildlife hunting, poaching and trafficking syndicate. Among the wildlife seized were 15 slow lorises, two binturongs, 28 star tortoises, six Egyptian vultures and two shikra birds.

MUMBAI: Six people were arrested for trafficking in endangered wildlife in an interstate crackdown by three central agencies in Mumbai and Kolkata on Tuesday and Wednesday. The operation, involving the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), led to the rescue of 53 animals, birds and reptiles protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

6 held for wildlife trafficking, 53 animals rescued

The arrested individuals were part of an interstate wildlife hunting, poaching and trafficking syndicate. Among the wildlife seized were 15 slow lorises, two binturongs, 28 star tortoises, six Egyptian vultures and two shikra birds.

The CBI has registered two FIRs under the Wildlife Protection Act and Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita. The animals have been handed over to the forest departments of the two states.

In Mumbai, the department has given custody of 37 animals, birds and reptiles to the city-based wildlife rescue and rehabilitation group, Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), which is treating and stabilising the animals.

The forest department is working on repatriating these animals to their native states for further rehabilitation, said Pawan Sharma of RAWW.