The following content is compiled from publicly available sources and does not represent the views of WCS-India. Reported species in seizure incidents may differ from actual occurrences due to challenges in verifying species identification, geographical differences, and varying levels of detail in local reporting. Please interpret this information with caution, as it may not always reflect precise or validated identification.
We collected and collated 42 illegal wildlife trade related incidents from various regions across India using open-source information. The highest number of wildlife seizure incidents were reported from Assam (8), Maharashtra (7), and Tamil Nadu (7). Some of the reported wildlife species included Pangolin (Indian Pangolin), Big cats (Tiger, Leopard), Elephant (Asian Elephant), Marine (Sea cucumber), Non-native (Siamang, California Kingsnake, Sulawesi Myna), Tortoise and freshwater turtle species (Indian Flapshell Turtle, Indian Roofed Turtle).
Additionally, two illegal wildlife trade incidents were documented from countries- Indonesia and Pakistan. Some of the reported wildlife species in seizures were Hog Deer, Orangutan, Civet, and Asiatic Black Bear.
Disclaimer: Only using instances where seizures took place during transit.
Other non-transit seizures included poaching, possession and stockpiling incidents
Important Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) news from India and other countries:
1. Incidents involving seizure of pangolin parts/products:
- Based on intelligence, the Forest Department, along with the Assam Rifles, seized 64 kg of Indian pangolin scales from Champhai District, Mizoram. The scales were hidden in egg cartons and the consignment was headed toward Myanmar. Two suspects were arrested. Further investigations are underway. Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4
- The Forest Department seized 3.7 kg of pangolin scales along with a deer horn from Darjeeling District, West Bengal. The seized products were meant to be smuggled to Nepal. One suspect was arrested. Further investigations are underway. Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4
Photo Credit: Forest Department | ANI
- Based on intelligence, the Forest Department seized one live pangolin from Jalna District, Maharashtra. Six suspects were arrested. Link1 Link2
2. Incidents involving seizure of tortoise and freshwater turtle species:
- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 481 Indian roofed turtles from a bus in Gaya District, Bihar. Link1
- Based on intelligence, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) along with the Forest Department and Special Task Force (STF) seized 405 Indian flapshell turtles from Mainpuri District, Uttar Pradesh. The consignment was headed toward Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand from where they were to be sent to Kolkata, West Bengal. Two suspects were arrested. Further investigations are underway. Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4 Link5
Photo Credit: Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)
- During routine inspections, the Police seized 123 turtles from North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. The turtles were being transported from Dhanbad District, Jharkhand to North 24 Parganas via Nadia District, West Bengal. One suspect was arrested. Further investigations are underway. Link1
- In another separate case, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) seized five live softshell turtles which were found abandoned on the Malda Railway Station, West Bengal. The turtles were hidden in bags. Link1 Link2
Photo Credit: Railway Protection Force (RPF)
- Based on intelligence, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seized 50 Indian roofed turtles and 15 spotted pond turtles from Delhi. Two suspects were arrested. Further investigations are underway. Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4 Link5
Photo Credit: Millennium Post
3. Incidents involving airport seizures
- Based on intelligence, the Customs Officials seized four northern gray gibbons, two marbled polecats, one silvery lutung, and one dead masked palm civet from Chennai airport, Tamil Nadu. The seized species were kept in ventilated boxes and the consignment came from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Two passengers were arrested. Further investigations are underway. Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4
Photo Credit: The Hindu
- During routine inspections, the Customs Officials seized four siamang and two northern pig-tailed macaque from Kempegowda airport, Bangalore, Karnataka. The seized species were hidden in the luggage and the consignment came from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. One passenger was arrested. Link1 Link2 Link3
Photo Credit: The New Indian Express
- Based on intelligence, the Customs Officials seized several species including California kingsnakes, pig-nosed turtles, Nile monitor and chameleons from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), Khordha District, Odisha. The seized species were hidden in chocolate boxes and the consignment came from Bangkok, Thailand and it was meant to be transported to Chennai, Tamil Nadu. One passenger was arrested. Further investigations are underway. Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4 Link5
Photo Credit: Hindustan Times
- The Customs Officials along with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized several species including red-whiskered bulbul, king bird-of-paradise, Sulawesi myna, dormouse, black-and-red broadbill and three iguanas and four Indochinese box turtles from Kempegowda airport, Bangalore, Karnataka. The consignment came from Bangkok, Thailand. Four suspects were arrested. Link1 Link2 Link3
Photo Credit: The Hindu
Other incidents involving airport seizures:
4. Incidents involving seizure of marine species:
- Based on intelligence, the Indian Coast Guard seized 200 kg of sea cucumbers from Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu. The seized species were kept in five separate drums. Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4
Photo Credit: Press Information Bureau (PIB)
- Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) along with the Forest Department seized 25 kg of sea cucumbers from Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu. Link1
Photo Credit: Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)
Other incidents involving marine species:
5. Based on intelligence, the Forest Department seized 151 genitalia of monitor lizard from Solapur District, Maharashtra. Three suspects were arrested. Link1 Link2
6. The Forest Department seized a live female Asiatic black bear from Central Punjab, Pakistan. One suspect was arrested. Link1
7. Incidents involving seizure of elephant parts/products:
Seven incidents involving seizure of elephant parts/products were reported from India where three incidents were reported from Tamil Nadu, two from Assam and one each from Kerala and West Bengal respectively. Eleven tusks, four pieces of raw ivory and one tooth had been seized. Note that confiscated ivory often turns out to be fake, thus further verification is required.
In two separate incidents, the bodies of two elephants were recovered from Assam and according to the media reports, the elephants were allegedly poached. Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4 Link5 Link6 Link7 Link8 Link9
Photo Credit: Hindustan Times
Other IWT news:
- Illegal saw mill in Palamu dismantled | The Times of India
- Maharashtra forest dept nabs five poachers in Jalgaon for selling bushmeat, wildlife organs | mid-day
- Two with leopard hide arrested in Tapovan | The Times of India
- Assam: Two Poachers Arrested For Illegally Selling Tiger Teeth In Baksa | The Sentinel Assam
- AI system alert helps bust poachers in Visapur forest | The Times of India
- Assam: Truck with illegal timber seized in Lanka | DY365
- Five poachers arrested in Palampur | Hindustan Times
- Eight arrested after using explosive in bait to hunt wild boar in Kolhapur | The Times of India
- Poachers electrocute tiger in Khapa despite forest dept red alert | The Times of India
- Assam: Forest department cracks down on illegal timber smuggling in Kokrajhar | India Today NE
- Suspected IAF Personnel Arrested For Attempting To Sell ‘Two-Headed’ Snake | Odisha BYTES
- DFO Kamraj Division Alongwith Range Officer Sogam Cracks Down on Illicit Timber Smuggling, Seize 100 Feet Deodar in Affan Warnow | Alfaaz
- Rs 40 Lakh Worth Red Sanders Seized in Bhakarapet Forest | Deccan Chronicle
- Tripura: Timber Smuggling Foiled: Forest Officials Seize ₹20 Lakh Worth Timber, Driver Escapes | Aguli
- Ministry blocks illegal wildlife trade online; two held | Antara
- Sand boa seized from man in Panagudi | The Hindu
- Poacher arrested in Khawzwal Dist | The Times of India