Nearly 400 live turtles, ghariyals, star tortoises besides leopard and bear cubs were recently seized at the Swarnabhumi International airport in Bangkok. According to Traffic India, Bangladesh is fast emerging as a hub for illegal wildlife trade.
“Passport, tickets, leopard cubs—that was exactly what a United Arab Emirates man was found carrying when he was arrested at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, recently", says Traffic India Head, Samir Sinha.
Seven infant animals-four leopard cubs, a bear cub, a baby gibbon and a marmoset-were found alive and packed in the suspect's bags. And it wasn't bulky luggage or suspicious behaviour that foiled the trafficker's audacious attempt. What gave him away was the muffled cry of one of the Leopard cubs stuffed in his bag.
In another incident, 500 live protected animals stuffed into four bags, including turtles, tortoises and seven Gharials were seized from Swarnabhumi airport once again. These tortoises were found stuffed in suitcases which had not been open for 10 days. About 4-5 tortoises had died of severe dehydration. Their estimated total worth is believed to be over $30,000, believes Traffic India sources.
After X-ray revealed shapes resembling turtles, the officials opened the bags and found them packed with several species of turtles and tortoises. A fourth bag registered to the same traveller contained further animals, they added. Read the full report here.
Source: Moushumi Basu, The Pioneer, New Delhi.
