Pune: Rare Species Of Turtles Airlifted To Their Native Habitat
Pune, 12th August 2021: More than 60 turtles of rare species seized during smuggling in and around the city were sent today to their native habitat in Assam. The vehicle was shown a green flag in the presence of senior Forest Department officials.
The 55 rare species of turtles belonging to the Indian Herpetological Society in Pune and eight rare species belonging to the RESQ Charitable Trust were sent to their original habitat in Guwahati, Assam by the Maharashtra Forest Department. The turtles were airlifted after completing the entire medical procedure and fulfilling all the terms and conditions from both organizations as per the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. The turtles include “Indian Roof”, “Crown River”, “Brown Roof”, “Spotted River” species of turtles. Many of these turtles are protected under Schedule 1 under the Act.
“The turtles have been flown to Guwahati by air and will be taken into custody by members of the Turtle Survival Alliance and the Assam Forest Department. This is the first case of releasing turtles in their original habitat”, said Rahul Patil, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Pune Forest Department.
Vivek Khandekar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, said, “Animals of various protected categories including turtles are traded. It is often smuggled and found at airports. The turtles are protected by confiscating them. Since their native habitat was different, they were sent to their native land. Efforts for this have been going on for a long time.”
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