500 Turtles Being Smuggled Rescued in Malkangiri Dist, 4 Arrested

Malkangiri: Around 500 turtles were rescued and seized by the  Forest department officials from two vehicles in Odisha’s  Malkangiri district on Wednesday.

These live turtles were rescued while they were being smuggled in the Forest department’ Motu section in the Kalimela area near the Andhra-Odisha border.

The forest officials intercepted two pick-up vans that claimed to be transporting fertilizer. But when searched, at least 500 live turtles were discovered in containers of the vehicles. These live turtles were being smuggled from Andhra Pradesh to Odisha.

The four persons involved in the turtle smuggling were arrested and both vehicles were seized.

An investigation is underway to track down others involved in this turtle smuggling racket.