Odisha Forest Dept Seizes 30 Live Turtles, Arrests Repeat Offender In Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown

Acting on specific intelligence, officials of the Jharigaon Forest Range laid a trap near the Kangra section office and intercepted a motorcycle carrying a sack filled with live turtles. While one suspect was apprehended, another escaped on a motorcycle despite a brief chase by forest personnel.

The arrested accused was identified as Prasanjit Karmakar of Chatabeda village under Raighar block. The rescued turtles were placed under the care of the forest department at the Jharigaon Forest Range pending further legal procedures and rehabilitation in accordance with wildlife conservation norms.

Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Dibya Madhuri Sethi said the seizure was made after forest staff, who were on routine patrol, became suspicious of two men transporting a sack on a motorcycle.

"During questioning, it was revealed that they were carrying turtles. One person was detained on the spot, while the other managed to flee despite being chased by our staff," she said, adding that the accused would be produced before a court after completion of legal formalities.

Preliminary investigations suggested the turtles were brought from Kalahandi district and were being transported for illegal sale in the Raighar area of Nabarangpur.

The ACF said the arrested man had admitted during interrogation that wildlife trafficking was a side business. "He works as a JCB driver but has been involved in similar offences on more than two occasions. He is a repeat offender," she said.

Forest officials have launched a detailed investigation to identify other members of the trafficking network, trace the source of the turtles and locate the absconding suspect. The seizure is being viewed as a significant success in the district's ongoing efforts to curb illegal wildlife trade.