180 Schedule I Turtles seized in Haridwar - 3 Arrested

The Haridwar Forest Division of Uttarakhand Forest Department today seized 180 schedule 1 turtles in a joint operation with the Wildlife Protection Society of India under the guidance of Mr.Jairaj, Additional PCCF, Uttarakhand, who is in charge of implementation of Prevention of cruelty to Animals Act. Three persons have been arrested, out of which two are aquarium shop owners. The different species seized were Indian Tent turtle, Brown roof turtle, Indian Roof turtle and Spotted pond Turtle. These turtles were brought by the poacher from Shajahanpur in Uttar Pradesh for sale in aquarium shops in Haridwar. This poacher has been involved for a long time in illegal trade of live turtles and also crocodile babies likely for aquariums abroad. The trader was contacted for a trade deal after which he was caught at Jwalapur railway station. His statements further led to raids in shops nearby to get more material.

MATING COUPLES DELAY FLIGHTS IN NEWYORK

The flights at JFK Airport at Newyork were delayed for up to one and a half hours due to a mating spree of 78 diamond backed terrapins (a kind of turtle) on the runway. One of the pilot noticed the animals on the runway and immediately aborted his take off and informed the controls.

If the flights of New York can wait for so long for helping these animals out, why can't we even slow our vehicles for a second to allow any animal to cross the road?

For detailed news on the JFK flight delay, see the link below.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/turtle-brigade-delays-flights-at-jfk/

451 live turtles seized at Bangkok airport

451 live turtles were seized from a baggage from a Bangladesh flight at Suvarnabhumi airport, Bangkok, Thailand. The offender managed to escape and did not collect the luggage. For details see http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jun/02/thai-customs-turtles-suitcase-smuggled