Cases of wildlife smuggling are often detected at borders or ports, but officials say trains are also used to transport live animals illegally. According to Hindustan Timescommuter routes can make it easier for criminals to hide in plain sight.
What is happening?
Officials of the Railway Protection Force said they recovered 102 live turtles from the Howrah-Dehradun Doon Express train after examining five unclaimed bags found under the seats and berths of the coach.
Inspector Banarsi Yadav said the train reached Gaya Junction at around 10:30 pm, when a joint patrol was underway as part of Operation Weep. He said that turtles are protected under Wildlife Protection Act 1972This makes transportation a criminal offence. While no arrests were made, the animals were handed over to the forest department, which conducted a health check on the turtles.
“After no passenger claimed the bags, they were opened. We found 102 live turtles inside those bags,” Yadav told The Times.
Why is wildlife trafficking a concern?
Wildlife trafficking can disrupt ecosystems while harming conservation efforts. For example, moving animals from their natural habitats to new areas can weaken vulnerable wildlife populations by introducing the first species as invasive species that affect their reproductive and eating habits. However, when trafficking routes overlap with human travel and trade ports, protection can be difficult to enforce.
It can also increase the chances of animals being injured or killed, as well as increasing wildlife-human interactions that can end in disaster. the US Fish and Wildlife Service She stated that smugglers often transport illegally caught turtles in very cramped and inhumane conditions that contribute to the spread of deadly diseases among animals. In one case, traded eastern box turtles became infected RanvirusWhich is known to cause bleeding and fluid accumulation. There is no known cure.
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What is being done about wildlife protection?
According to The Times, Operation Welp focuses on patrols, inspections and coordination with other departments to intercept wildlife traffickers on railway routes.
If you are looking to get involved in raising awareness about the illegal wildlife trade, it is important to note this, as are others Critical climate issuesPublic awareness and community participation are key to addressing this issue. A broader understanding of how smuggling affects ecosystems could influence the number of people who recognize and report suspicious activities.
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