It was a relief moment for the 97 Turtles landed in a Mumbai Airport, as the protected turtles and tortoises were rescued at the Mumbai International Airport on Saturday night after security officials spotted something suspicious during luggage screening. The Patna base Mohammed Arif had already boarded the 11.20 pm Thai Airlines flight to Bangkok when he was asked to alight.
The helpless reptiles were found in eight pouches, an airport official said. Among those rescued were three keeled tortoise, Indian eyed turtle, Assam roofed turtle and Indian spotted pond turtle. All these are protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act. The man is being arrested for his illegal act.
News Source: MMIR
