India Press: Star tortoises seized at Airport

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Posted by Wes von Papine�u on April 12, 2001 at 10:12:12:

THE HINDU (Chennai, India) 12 April 01 Star tortoises seized at Airport
Chennai: Over 360 star tortoises were rescued by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officials at the international airport on Tuesday night from the baggage of a Singapore-bound passenger. The tortoises were handed over to the Forest Department on Wednesday.
According to Mr A.K. Ulaganathan, Wildlife Warden, Chennai, the AIU officials on suspicion seized a suitcase, and found the tortoises in it. The owner of the baggage A.Ismail when called for disappeared abandoning both his ticket and the baggage. He had given a Tiruchi address for his ticket.
Lack of severe punishment for this kind of smuggling was one of the reasons for illegal trade in animals, the Forest department officials said.
The habitat of the reptile is Palamner in Chitoor in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. People easily collect this species and smuggle it to many countries in South East Asia, where there is a heavy demand, said Mr. Thomas De Rose, Range Officer, Children's Park, Guindy.
In Andhra Pradesh, the animal would fetch only Rs 50, whereas they fetch 50 Singapore Dollars, as soon as they reach the country. There is a good demand from people, who rear it as pets. The shell of the tortoise is mainly used to make ornamental jewel boxes and its meat is also wrongly believed to have medicinal value, said the officials.
A team of officials led by Mr. Selvaraj, Wildlife Ranger, Headquarters had left for Tiruchi in pursuit of the accused, added the officials.
It is also puzzling officials that the tortoises should be taken beyond the baggage scan, and the smuggler allowed to escape.
The star tortoises rescued from smugglers before they were loaded on a Singapore-bound flight, on Wednesday.

Star tortoises seized at Airport

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: THE HINDU (Chennai, India) 12 April 01 Star tortoises seized at Airport : Chennai: Over 360 star tortoises were rescued by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officials at the international airport on Tuesday night from the baggage of a Singapore-bound passenger. The tortoises were handed over to the Forest Department on Wednesday. : According to Mr A.K. Ulaganathan, Wildlife Warden, Chennai, the AIU officials on suspicion seized a suitcase, and found the tortoises in it. The owner of the baggage A.Ismail when called for disappeared abandoning both his ticket and the baggage. He had given a Tiruchi address for his ticket. : Lack of severe punishment for this kind of smuggling was one of the reasons for illegal trade in animals, the Forest department officials said. : The habitat of the reptile is Palamner in Chitoor in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. People easily collect this species and smuggle it to many countries in South East Asia, where there is a heavy demand, said Mr. Thomas De Rose, Range Officer, Children's Park, Guindy. : In Andhra Pradesh, the animal would fetch only Rs 50, whereas they fetch 50 Singapore Dollars, as soon as they reach the country. There is a good demand from people, who rear it as pets. The shell of the tortoise is mainly used to make ornamental jewel boxes and its meat is also wrongly believed to have medicinal value, said the officials. : A team of officials led by Mr. Selvaraj, Wildlife Ranger, Headquarters had left for Tiruchi in pursuit of the accused, added the officials. : It is also puzzling officials that the tortoises should be taken beyond the baggage scan, and the smuggler allowed to escape. : The star tortoises rescued from smugglers before they were loaded on a Singapore-bound flight, on Wednesday. :

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