Jamshedpur: Two Indian star tortoises rescued from illegal trade

Jamshedpur: Acting swiftly on a tip-off from a local citizen, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, in collaboration with the Dhalbhum Forest Division, rescued two Indian star tortoises today. These tortoises, a species protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972 (as amended in 2022), were found at Atlantic Aquarium, a pet shop in Sonari, where they were being illegally kept for sale.

The operation resulted in the registration of a preliminary offence report against unidentified individuals under sections 9, 39, 50, and 51 of the WPA. The forest department currently has the seized tortoises under observation in Mango, ensuring they are kept safe and healthy while further investigations are conducted.

The possession and sale of species listed under Schedule I of the WPA are serious offences, punishable by a prison sentence of three to seven years and a minimum fine of Rs 25,000. The Indian star tortoise is among those highly protected species due to its vulnerable status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

“PETA India is grateful to the forest department for promptly rescuing these tortoises and taking action,” said Saloni Sakaria, PETA India’s Cruelty Response Coordinator. She emphasized the importance of laws that protect wildlife, stating, “This incident is exactly why laws exist to keep wild animals where they belong – in nature.”

Indian star tortoises are frequently targeted by illegal traders due to their distinctive appearance and high demand in the pet trade. As wild animals, they are not suited to captivity, where they often suffer from inadequate care, including improper diet and lack of proper habitat conditions.

“These tortoises are wild animals and belong in their natural habitat, not in dingy tanks or confined spaces,” Sakaria added. The illegal pet trade not only threatens their survival but also subjects them to inhumane conditions that compromise their well-being.

This recent rescue highlights ongoing efforts by wildlife protection organizations and authorities to combat the illegal trade of endangered species in India. The Dhalbhum Forest Division and PETA India continue to work closely to enforce wildlife protection laws and prevent such offences.