Endangered tortoises seized at Bangalore airport

The Customs officials at Bangalore airport seized a total of 447 endangered star tortoises, which were being smuggled to Malaysia from India.

The Customs Commissioner P Ayyam Perumal said the tortoises, which are unique for their black yellow shells and star-shaped blotches, had been stuffed in cotton pillow covers before being kept in an airbag. Due to rough handling, a few tortoises were also found dead, he said.

The tortoises, whose export had been banned under the Wild Life Protection Act, had been brought to the City from Chennai for onward shipment to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia via Sri Lanka. One person has been arrested in connection with the illegal transshipment, Customs officials said.

The seized tortoises, which had been declared as an endangered species, would be handed over to the Forest Department officials. The seized tortoises were valued around Rs 7 million in the international market.

The star tortoises are kept as pet animals with a belief that they bring good luck and fortune to the keeper. They are also used for medicinal purposes and at times as a food delicacy.

According to wild life experts, star tortoises are in great demand in several parts of the world. The creature, which is generally found on rocky outcrops and scrub jungles, fetches a whopping $ 400 to $ 800. “If it is kept as a pet in US, UK and middle east countries, the star tortoise is even eaten as a delicacy in Thailand and Malaysia”, according to bio diversity expert Harish R Bhat.