NEW DELHI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has recovered 18 “non-indigenous” animals in the checked-in baggage of three passengers arriving from Bangkok.
Acting on specific intelligence, the DRI said its officers intercepted three passengers, including a woman, arriving from Bangkok at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on January 22.
“Examination of their checked-in baggage resulted in the recovery of 18 non-indigenous animals (four primates and 14 reptiles) with the assistance of Karnataka Forest Department officials”, an official release said on Friday.
The import of wild animals (including their parts and products), as defined in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is prohibited. “The animals attempted to be so smuggled by the passengers were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962”, the release said.
Further, in quick follow-up action with assistance from the Karnataka Forest Department officials and an officer deputed from WCCB Chennai, another 139 animals belonging to 48 different species were recovered from a farmhouse in Bengaluru, which was used as a place of storage of similarly smuggled wildlife.
“The recovered animals include extremely rare and threatened species like the Yellow and Green Anaconda, Yellow Headed Amazon Parrot, Nile Monitor, Red Foot Tortoise, Iguanas, Ball Pythons, Alligator Gar, Yaki Monkey, Veiled Chameleon, Racoon Dog, White Headed Piones etc., were handed over to Bannerghatta Biological Park,” the release read. Further investigations are on. (ANI)