This story is from May 30, 2021

Uttar Pradesh: 67 endangered turtles seized in Etawah, 4 poachers nabbed

Sixty-seven endangered turtles, six from the rare Chitra-Indica species and each weighing 50kg were seized from four poachers in Etawah on Saturday. The wildlife traffickers were nabbed following a joint operation by foresters, members of Society for Conservation of Nature and a special operation group of UP police.
Uttar Pradesh: 67 endangered turtles seized in Etawah, 4 poachers nabbed
Such heavy-weight endangered turtles have been seized for the first time in two decades
KANPUR: Sixty-seven endangered turtles, six from the rare Chitra-Indica species and each weighing 50kg were seized from four poachers in Etawah on Saturday. The wildlife traffickers were nabbed following a joint operation by foresters, members of Society for Conservation of Nature and a special operation group of UP police.
At least 55 sundari (lissemys punctata), 6 chitraindica (narrow-headed softshell turtle) and one sonia (nilssonia gangetica) turtle were seized.
Foresters later confirmed that five of the 67 turtles had died. All three species are endangered and find mention in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The smugglers were arrested from near the Pilua Mahaveer temple near Yamuna river in Civil Lines area of Etawah. “The poachers were transporting the turtles to Nepal via Uttarakhand, when the consignment was intercepted by police,” said Sanjay Singh, district forest officer Etawah.
Secretary, Society for Conservation of Nature Dr Rajiv Chauhan told TOI that such heavy-weight endangered turtles have been seized for the first time in two decades. An autopsy will be conducted on the dead turtles and remaining ones will be medically examined by released in water bodies. The poachers have been booked under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Such heavy-weight endangered turtles have been seized for the first time in two decades
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