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Turtles seized

Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR: The police seized as many as 145 endangered turtles from three traders, who were allegedly smuggling tortoises by a passenger bus near Panikoili in Jajpur district about 100 km from here on Wednesday.

Basing on a tip-off, the police intercepted the bus, which was going to Egra in Medinpore district of West Bengal. The three traders, identified as Mantu Maiti, Ramapada Ghadei and Sanatan Mallick, were arrested. Three of the bus crew were also taken into custody.

Bail plea rejected

The Jajpur police on Thursday produced all the six persons before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate who rejected their bail plea and sent them to remand.

Officer-in-charge of Korei Police Station, Kamala Kant Panda, said: "all turtles were very small in size. Forest Department officials confirmed that most of the turtles covered in sacks belong to Olive Ridley species." However, State Chief Wildlife Warden Suresh Mohanty ruled out that the turtles seized by the police could be Olive Ridleys. "We have put in place a foolproof patrolling mechanism in place along the coast. It is impossible for anybody to dodge forest officials to smuggle such a large number of turtles from the seacoast," he said. Mr. Mohanty said forest officials were alerted about smuggling of fresh water turtles to Kolkata market. "Recently, we have zeroed in Mahanadi River bank areas to keep track on smuggling of fresh water turtles. Olive Ridley turtles could only be transported through sea route," he asserted.

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