Chennai, Dec 5 (NationPress) Customs officials at Chennai International Airport successfully intercepted nearly 5,400 red-eared slider turtles on Thursday, with a market value of approximately Rs 75 lakh.

These turtles, frequently sought for their decorative appeal, were trafficked illegally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Customs officials reported that the turtles were found hidden in the luggage of two travelers arriving from Kuala Lumpur.

The individuals were identified as Ramesh Akash (29) and Tamim Ansari Mohammed Rafique, both residents of Chennai.

Upon suspicion, customs officials conducted a meticulous examination of their bags, revealing a significant number of live red-eared slider turtles packed within cardboard boxes.

The red-eared slider turtles are typically found in regions like Thailand, Malaysia, and parts of Europe, commonly kept as ornamental pets in private collections and decorative aquariums.

Aside from their ornamental use, these turtles are also believed to carry medicinal properties, which exacerbates their illicit trade.

Officials from the Customs and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) expressed grave concerns regarding the ecological threats posed by the introduction of these turtles into India.

They cautioned that the turtles could harbor foreign pathogens that might be detrimental to India’s indigenous wildlife, avian species, and even human health.

Furthermore, their introduction could significantly disturb local aquatic ecosystems and the broader environment.

Officials from the Tamil Nadu Wildlife Department consulted with the Union government's WCCB and decided to repatriate the turtles to Malaysia.

The two passengers were arrested and are currently being investigated for their role in the smuggling operation.

It is noteworthy that Chennai International Airport has increasingly become a hotspot for wildlife smuggling in south India, particularly for species such as star tortoises.

Recent seizures of star tortoises at the airport have prompted the Tamil Nadu WCCB to enhance its vigilance.

In a recent crackdown, air intelligence officials confiscated 3,600 live star tortoises following a tip-off. These tortoises were destined for Southeast Asia and Gulf nations.

Star tortoises, classified as endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), are often sourced from areas like Madhanapalli and Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh.

The WCCB has been conducting random inspections in these regions to apprehend smugglers and individuals involved in breeding tortoises for illegal trade.

Recognizing the escalating issue of wildlife smuggling, organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are providing customs officials with capacity-building resources.

These resources include software and training programs aimed at improving their capability to identify and intercept smuggled wildlife.

TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network aligned with WWF, conducted a study that highlights the concerning rise of wildlife smuggling through Tamil Nadu’s airports, especially Chennai.

The study attributes this increase in smuggling to the expansion of the aviation sector, which enables easy transit of rare species to global markets.

India ranks among the top 10 countries for global wildlife smuggling, with the airline industry frequently exploited for trafficking.

Species like the black pond turtle and star tortoise are among the most illegally traded wildlife in the country, with Chennai airport serving as a key transit hub.

The Tamil Nadu Wildlife Department recently discovered private farms in Tiruvallur district, bordering Andhra Pradesh, that were breeding star tortoises for smuggling.

Officials suspect that some local police may be complicit in facilitating these smuggling operations.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified star tortoises as “Vulnerable”. A proposal has been made to enhance their protection status under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act from Schedule IV to Schedule I.

This change would afford them the highest level of legal protection. With backing from WWF and UNEP, law enforcement agencies at Chennai airport and other at-risk locations in Tamil Nadu are becoming more equipped to combat wildlife smuggling.

These initiatives are anticipated to significantly curb the illegal trade of rare species such as star tortoises, black pond turtles, and red-eared slider turtles.