Officials of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department last week released 1,426 Indian flat-shelled turtles (Lissemys punctate) into the Musurumilli reservoir on the outskirts of Rampachodavaram in Alluri Sitarama Raju district. Two individuals were arrested in the operation, which highlights the continuing scourge of turtle smuggling in India.
Officers of the Folkspeta Forest Range seized 1,589 turtles from the duo on May 16, but only 1,426 were found to be still alive. The remaining 163 had perished during the ordeal of transportation. The turtles, valued at approximately Rs3,00,000, were being smuggled for their meat, which is said to be in great demand in neighbouring Odisha.
Packed in 20 gunny bags and hidden under sacks of onion, the poor animals were being transported in a van from Ramachandrapuram in East Godavari district to Malkangiri district in Odisha via Rampachodavaram, the news website TRIMFEED reported.
The Indian flat-shelled turtle, a freshwater species commonly found in ponds and lakes, is one of the most trafficked turtle species in India. Folkspeta Forest Ranger Karunakar told The Hindu that the suspects had sourced the turtles from Ramachandrapuram area for sale in Odisha.
The release of the turtles into the Musurumilli reservoir is part of ongoing conservation efforts to protect endangered species and combat wildlife trafficking. The operation highlighted the persistent issue of turtle smuggling in India, particularly along the East Coast, where the illicit trade has surged.
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