As many as 138 star tortoises were recovered from a Malaysia-bound air passenger recently, the Customs department said on Monday.
The species are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
"Air Intelligence Unit of Chennai Air Customs recovered and seized 138 star tortoises from a male passenger bound for Malaysia on 10.07.2024. The passenger was intercepted by the Air Intelligence officers in the departure terminal," an official release here said. He was found carrying the tortoises in his checked-in baggage.
The accused passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act and Wildlife (Protection) Act and was produced before the a local court, which remanded him to judicial custody.
All the star tortoises recovered alive were handed over to Wildlife Division, Guindy National Park in the city for safe custody and their release into their habitat, it said, adding, further investigation was on.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Putin Responds To Biden's Missile Approval By Changing Moscow's Nuclear Doctrine
Smuggler With 195 Star Tortoises Arrested Along Indo-Bangladesh Border Gold Worth Rs 59.26 Lakh Seized At Chennai Airport, Woman Arrested Explained: Why Delhi's AQI Was 494 Today But International Monitor Said 1,600 Air India Flight From Paris Diverted To Jaipur, Fliers Sent To Delhi On Bus Emergency Landing, Fliers Stuck For 3 Days In Phuket; Air India Responds Man Threatens YouTuber Sourav Joshi, Claims Links With Lawrence Bishnoi Gang PM Modi To Inaugurate Kashmir To Delhi Vande Bharat Express In January Amid Concerns Of World War 3, Sweden Gives Citizens Survival Tips Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.