In a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking, customs officials at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok on Wednesday. During a routine inspection, officers recovered 47 live specimens from the passenger's baggage, including several rare and protected species.
Species Recovered
The seized animals comprised red-footed tortoises, African spurred tortoises, Argentine black and white tegus, and Goeldi's marmosets. Many of these species are listed under Appendix-II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates international trade to ensure their survival.
Legal Action Initiated
A case has been registered under the Customs Act, 1962, and the passenger has been handed over to the Range Forest Officer (RFO), Bengaluru Rural, for further legal proceedings under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The authorities are investigating the origins of the animals and the intended destination.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of illegal wildlife trafficking through Indian airports. Officials have urged travelers to refrain from carrying protected species and to comply with international and national wildlife laws.
