Assam: Rare species of tortoises rescued from smugglers in Samaguri

Two rare species of tortoises were recovered by the Khatowal police in Samaguri, Assam, after they were smuggled into the area. The smugglers had netted two injured tortoises weighing around 12 kg in Kallang, but were intercepted by the police based on information received from secret sources. Although the miscreants managed to escape, they were later arrested by the Khatowal police on suspicion. The two injured tortoises were handed over to the forest department, who provided basic treatment before sending them for medical examinations.

A forest official reported that two rare species of tortoises were recovered, which were being smuggled by individuals who had captured them using a net. The tortoises will undergo medical examinations and will be released back into their natural habitat at a later time," clarified a forest official.

This incident follows a similar case in September 2022, where Assam police and forest officials recovered a large number of exotic wild animals that were smuggled through Myanmar. Rare tortoises, monkeys and wallabies were among the animals found in special crates in two luxury vehicles with Delhi number plates in Rangia, Kamrup district. The drivers of the SUVs, with army stickers on them, were detained for smuggling the rare animals.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria identifies 187 of the 360 known turtle and tortoise species as threatened, with 127 of them endangered or critically endangered. These species face threats such as the pet trade, overconsumption for food and medicine, loss of habitat, pollution, invasive species, and climate change.