Counter Wildlife Trafficking Newsletter
July 2022
In Focus
Read more about these seizures in the News Scan section below.
‘Wildlife Evidence Collection Kits’ gifted in support to the Telangana Forest Department
On the occasion of International Tiger Day (29 July 2022), as part of the existing collaboration between Wildlife Conservation Society- India and Telangana Forest Department, we provided ‘Wildlife Evidence Collection Kits’ to support the forest department in effectively and efficiently collecting wildlife evidence from the crime scenes.
The kit also includes a 'Biological Sample Collection' manual that details the best practices and procedures for collecting and preserving different types of evidence found at a wildlife crime scene. The kit was launched by the Minister for Environment and Forests, Mr. A. Indrakaran Reddy. Additionally, the kits were distributed to field-base officers in different locations in Telangana and West Bengal.
Participatory Workshop at Melghat Tiger Reserve
WCS-India conducted a participatory workshop for 46 officers from Melghat Tiger Reserve, one of India's oldest and largest Tiger Reserves. Officers were trained on the identification of seized wildlife, legal procedure and documentation to be followed in a wildlife crime case, and the use of the Wildlife Offence Report (WLOR) generator 'Sugava App'.
The workshop and app were well received by officers. The Director of Melghat Tiger Reserve appreciated the workshop, saying, "The workshop was well structured and informative for our officials, and the training resource material is very useful for frontline staff while dealing with wildlife crime cases." WCS-India will maintain relationships with the participants of the workshop and provide any further support in their efforts to tackle illegal wildlife trade.
News Scan (1-31 July 2022)
Big Cats
CBI Busts Illegal Wildlife Trade Racket; Arrests 3 With 26 Tiger, Leopard Claws | Republic World
The Central Bureau of Investigation busted an illegal wildlife trade racket where 26 tiger and leopard claws, which included four tiger claws, were recovered, and three people were arrested. Sources explained that tiger and leopard claws are used in Chinese traditional medicines. Officials acted on information received from a source that the accused were in possession of a large number of claws.
Read more here.
More on big cats
Birds
Man arrested for raising peacocks; adult bird seized from his residence | Times Now
A man was arrested on charges of raising peacocks at his residence in Kamegowdanahalli in Karnataka. The Mobile Vigilance Squad of the Karnataka Forest Department conducted a raid and one adult peacock was seized from his residence. Peafowls are protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. They are often poached for their feathers and meat.
Read more here.
More on birds
Elephant
Elephant found dead with bullet injuries | Times of India
Forest Department officials found the carcass of a tuskless male elephant near a drinking water canal in Hogenakkal forest in Tamil Nadu. Inspection by veterinarians confirmed that the elephant had died of bullet injuries. A special team will be running an investigation into this incident.
Read more here.
More on elephants
Marine
Two tonnes of sea cucumbers seized in Ramanathapuram district | The Hindu
A team of forest officials spotted a van at Maraikayar Pattinam - Vedhalai stretch at daybreak. When stopped at the check post, the driver immediately fled the spot and abandoned the van. On inspecting the van, the officials found and seized nearly 2,000 kilograms of sea cucumbers in gunny bags. The Mandapam police are investigating the case.
Read more here.
More on marine
Pangolin
Pangolin rescued, two arrested in Siliguri
Forest officials nabbed and arrested two individuals in Siliguri, West Bengal, on the charges of trafficking a pangolin. The pangolin has been rescued by the officials who shared that the animal was being trafficked to Nepal in a vehicle.
Read more here.
More on pangolin
Red sandalwood
DRI seizes 4.2 tonnes of red sanders in Sanand; one held | The Indian Express
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence conducted a raid at two godowns in Sanand on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Here, they found and seized over 4200 kilograms of red sanders. The officials shared that the expensive wood was hidden under bags of cattle feed. One person in connection with the incident has been arrested.
Read more here.
More on red sandalwood
Reptiles
Wildlife SOS Seizes Sand Boa In Wildlife Raid Near Gujarat-Maharashtra Border | WildlifeSOS
The Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit, along with the Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, rescued two red sand boas in Deriyapara village, close to the Gujarat-Maharashtra border. The snakes have been safely handed over to the Forest Department. Poached from the wild and hidden in a drum, the two accused were actively looking for buyers for the boas.
Read more here.
More on reptiles
Rhino
Assam: Suspected wildlife smuggler arrested with rhino horn in Jorhat | Northeast Now
The Assam Police arrested one person for possessing a rhino horn. The arrested is suspected to be an active poacher; however, all the charges have not been released yet. The police have seized the rhino horn and launched an investigation into the case.
Read more here.
More on rhino
Tortoise and freshwater turtles
Bags packed with tortoises, 2 held at Esplanade bus stand | The Telegraph
Police officers from Maidan caught two men with bags filled with 509 Indian star tortoises. They were catching a bus from Kolkata to Siliguri when people at the bus stand noticed movement in the bag and informed the police, suspecting living creatures. The tortoises were recovered and handed over to the wildlife department.
Read more here.
More on tortoise and freshwater turtles
Ungulates
Police arrested smugglers who were about to sell meat after hunting nilgai | Navbharat Times
In Hamirpur in Uttar Pradesh, police officials caught and arrested four people for the possession of Nilgai meat and illegal weapons. At a check post, the officials stopped a car for inspection and found three bags filled with Nilgai meat and a stack of cartridges.
Read more here.
More on ungulates
Exotic
Mangaldoi Police Detain 2 For Poaching Exotic Fishes From Orang NP | Pratidin Time
Mangaldoi Police officials arrested two poachers who were in possession of three exotic fish species, including the extremely rare Barca snakehead fish. These fish are high in demand in illegal markets for their ornamental value. The poachers were arrested at Orang National Park in Assam and the seized fishes were handed over to the forest department.
Read more here.
Other
Illegal wildlife trade outside India
Infographics:
Important Wildlife Seizures in India: July 2022 by Radha Pennathur
Illegal Wildlife Trade in July 2022 by the CWT team
Check out the Counter Wildlife Trafficking programme on our website
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