Bengaluru authorities nabbed a Chennai individual for smuggling exotic animals in India after he was apprehended smuggling six endangered infant monkeys from Malaysia. The 24-year-old Vinayagamoorthy Kotteswaran was stopped by Bengaluru Air Customs early on Monday morning upon arrival from Kuala Lumpur. His check-in bag contained four Siamang Gibbons and two Northern Pig-tailed Macaques—both species listed under Indian wildlife protection laws and international treaties.
Crackdown Against Smuggling Exotic Animals In India
Exotic wildlife smuggling has become an expanding issue in India, and more cases have been recorded at principal airports. Authorities believe that Kotteswaran was part of a trafficking network run by two Chennai natives working from Malaysia. He was promised ₹10,000 for successfully delivering the trafficked animals.
The authorities are of the opinion that the smuggling gang avoided Chennai airport deliberately. This was probably due to a recent customs operation on March 7, when a smuggler and the receiver of trafficked animals were caught at the Chennai International Airport. Customs officials have been increasing security measures, and it has become increasingly hard for wildlife traffickers to move around freely.
The animals seized are covered under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act and are also included in Appendix I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Since they are protected, smuggling them is a criminal act under Indian law.
As reported by The New Indian Express, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) will also screen the rescued animals to assess their condition and determine the course of action to be taken next. The authorities are also investigating whether Kotteswaran had been involved in any such smuggling in the past. If convicted, he could be given hefty fines under India’s Wildlife Protection Act.
Also Read: Thailand: Viral Video Of Monkey Handling Traffic Stuns Netizens, PETA Raises Wildlife Concerns
Heightened Alarm Regarding Illegal Wildlife Trade
The black market for wildlife is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and India is used as a transit point to smuggle endangered animals. Exotic pet demand has driven this illegal business, threatening to put many of the previously endangered species in jeopardy. Law enforcement officials are now trying to shut down these kinds of operations and increase airport vigilance.
The officials request the visitors to report any unusual activity that happens to help in controlling wildlife trafficking. As the case unfolds, the emphasis is on tracking down the larger smuggling network behind the enterprise.
Also Read: In Sikkim, Feeding Monkeys And Improperly Disposing Food Attract Fines Of ₹5,000
We are all players in wildlife protection, both as tourists and as citizens. Now, the question becomes: how do we do more to halt this silent emergency?
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (For Representation)
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