In a major operation against wildlife trafficking, officers of the Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone-III, seized a variety of exotic wildlife species both live and deadbat Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport during the night of July 10.
In the first case, based on specific intelligence, Customs officers intercepted a passenger who had just arrived from Bangkok. A detailed search of the cream-coloured trolley bag carried by the individual led to the recovery of three meerkats (Suricata suricatta), of which two were alive and one was found dead. In addition, one Great Billed Parrot, also known as the Moluccan Parrot (Tanygnathus megalorynchos), was discovered alive. The passenger was immediately taken into custody for violating provisions of Indian customs and wildlife protection laws.
In the second case, officials again acted on intelligence inputs and intercepted another passenger from Bangkok. This time, a green-coloured trolley bag was found to contain two Sumatran Striped Rabbits (Nesolagus netscheri), a species considered rare and endangered.
In addition, a dead Great Billed Parrot and one Indochinese Box Turtle (Cuora galbinifrons) were also found concealed in the luggage. The passenger was arrested, and legal proceedings have been initiated under the relevant statutory provisions.
