Kannur (Kerala) [India], April 5 (HBTV): Forest officials in Payyannur, Kannur district, arrested five individuals on Thursday for illegal possession of a two-toed sand boa (Eryx johnii), a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, according to a release from the Forest Department.

The accused were identified as Pradeepan TP (49), Bhikesh (39), and Manoj M (30), all residents of Trikaripur in Kannur, along with T Naveen (35) and K Chandrasekharan (37) from Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Taliparamba Forest Range Officer Sanoop Krishnan conducted the operation and seized a car and a scooter used by the group.

The non-venomous snake was allegedly brought from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, for sale in Kannur. Forest authorities confirmed that a case has been registered and that further investigation is underway.

In a related incident earlier in March, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended two individuals in possession of 65 Indian roofed turtles and spotted pond turtles, according to a CBI press release.

In a letter dated March 24, the CBI stated: ‘A team of CBI along with Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) officials, on the basis of information, apprehended two accused who were in possession of 65 Indian roofed turtles and spotted pond turtles. A case was registered by CBI against two accused under Section 51 read with Sections 39, 44, 48A, 49, and 49B of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for the possession, transport and trade of these species covered under Schedule-I of the Act.’

The CBI confirmed the recovery of 50 Indian roofed turtles (Pangshura tecta) and 15 spotted pond turtles (Geoclemys hamiltonii). Since the animals were alive at the time of seizure, they were handed over to the Delhi Zoo for safe custody.

(ANI)