24 protected tortoises seized from trader in Navi Mumbai

MUMBAI: The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) seized 24 star tortoises from a person selling the protected species from Airoli, Navi Mumbai on Monday. The accused,

MUMBAI: The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) seized 24 star tortoises from a person selling the protected species from Airoli, Navi Mumbai on Monday. The accused, Mayuresh Nathuram Shirke, a resident of Dombivli was arrested under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 with the help of activists from the NGO Plants and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). After paying a fine of Rs 25,000, he was let off.

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“We got a tip-off from our sources on Sunday. Five officers were deputed near Airoli, where they caught the accused,” said M Maranko, regional deputy director, WCCB. “Trading star tortoise is a compoundable offence if the number of animals in the trade is less. The also accused gave an undertaking that he will not repeat it.”

WCCB officials said the accused bought each tortoise for Rs400 and were to sell them for Rs1500. “The price of each tortoise in the international market is ten times that amount,” said Maranko.

The tortoises are currently at WCCB’s Navi Mumbai headquarters. The species are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act and trade, possession, transport or sale attract imprisonment of up to three years .

WCCB officials said there were five cases of turtle, tortoise trade this year in Mumbai against twice the number last year. “The drop in cases is because of greater awareness. We are surveying social media through which the trade is organised,” said Maranko. Experts said traders were finding secure means to carry out their operation. “The number of cases has not decreased as closed groups on apps such as Whatsapp are used to communicate,” said Jose Louies, head of trade control, Wildlife Trust of India.