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Wildlife Trade News

(July 18, 2024) The following content is collected from public information and does not represent the views of WCS-India. Forty-eight illegal wildlife trade incidents from various regions across the country have been collected using open-source intelligence (OSINT). The highest number of wildlife seizure incidents were reported from the states of Tamil Nadu (12), Odisha (6), and Uttar Pradesh (5). Some of the commonly reported wildlife species in seizures were Asian Elephant, Pangolin, Indian Softshell Turtl...

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(June 13, 2024) The following content is collected from public information and does not represent the views of WCS-India.   Important Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) news from India:  1. The Odisha Forest Department seized a tiger nail, two bear nails and 202 pangolin scales from Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary during a raid. Two people were arrested. Link   Photo Credit: Kalinga TV   2. The Mizoram Police Department seized 24 exotic wild animals which included 18 snake species, f...

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(May 15, 2024) The following content is collected from public information and does not represent the views of WCS-India.   Important Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) news from India:  1. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 400 live freshwater turtles in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh. The van carrying the turtles was heading to West Bengal. In another related incident the Railway Protection Force (RPF) seized 117 live turtles from Utkal Express at Bhubaneswar railway station. ...

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(April 19, 2024) The following content is collected from public information and does not represent the views of WCS-India.  Important Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) news from India 1. Mizoram’s State Excise and Narcotics Department seized 98 kg of pangolin scales at a checkpoint in Vairengte, Kolasib District, Mizoram. The accused who was driving a cab from Shillong to Aizawl was from Assam’s Cachar District. The contraband was passed on as smoked pork. Link 1, Link 2,  Link 3 2....

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(March 18, 2024) The following content is collected from public information and does not represent the views of WCS-India.   Important Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) news from India:  In a joint operation by Mizoram Forest Department and Assam Rifles, 49 exotic wild animals were seized in Champhai. The media report mentions the species seized, which include Solomon Cockatoo (10), Posque’s Parrot (2), Marmoset Monkey (2), and unidentified turtle (9), snake (10), lizard (16) species. Th...

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(March 12, 2024) The following content is collected from public information and does not represent the views of WCS-India.  Important Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) news from India: 1. Forest departments from the states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha conducted a seizure of 2.7 kg pangolin scales and one live pangolin at Nagalbod village, along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha state border, near the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve. Three poachers were arrested; Link 2. Odisha Forest Department seized 132 parakee...

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(February 07, 2023) Counter Wildlife Trafficking Newsletter November - December 2022 In Focus 13 seizure incidents involving illegal trade in exotic wildlife were reported from India between November and December 2022. Recovered animals included non-native and exotic primates such as the white-lipped Tamarin and Panamanian white-faced Capuchin, snakes such as the Kenyan sand boa and corn snake, reptiles such as iguanas and tegu lizards, tarantulas, and parrots. Access the media reports here: B...

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(November 28, 2022) Counter Wildlife Trafficking Newsletter October 2022 In Focus Four seizure incidents involving illegal trade in exotic wildlife were reported from India in October 2022 - From Assam, Maharashtra, Mizoram and Tamil Nadu. Notably, recovered animals included non-native felines, primates, and marsupials. Other recovered species include non-native birds and reptiles, such as snakes, tortoises and turtles. Access the media reports here: Mizoram: 140 Exotic Birds And Animals Res...

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(October 27, 2022) Counter Wildlife Trafficking Newsletter September 2022 In Focus Three seizure incidents involving illegal trade of exotic wildlife species were reported from India in September, last month. Notably, the recovered species include primates such as orangutans, spider monkeys, lemurs among others. Other recovered species include, wallabies, and several other exotic species of tortoises, turtles and birds. Access the media reports here: Two baby orangutans, suspected to be smugg...

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(September 30, 2022) Counter Wildlife Trafficking Newsletter August 2022 In Focus Multiple seizures involving illegal trade of exotic wildlife species were reported in August. The cases were reported from Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tamil Nadu, and Tripura. Seized wildlife includes exotic species of primates, hornbills, and reptiles, among others. Read full media reports on these seizures here: Passenger from Bangkok caught with live animals, including monkey & snakes at Chennai Airport; arrested...

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