Summary:
Two persons involved in the illegal transport of Indian tortoises for export to Bangladesh have been apprehended. The Indian star tortoise is famed for the star like radiating patterns on its shell. On inspecting the reptiles, the forest officials confirmed that they were Indian star tortoises which are scientifically known as ‘Geochelone elegans’. The reptiles are sold anywhere between $70 and $100 in international market.The DRI sleuths have seized tortoises under Customs Act, 1962. The tortoises were of different sizes and were wrapped in the cloths.To ascertain the exact nature of the tortoises, the DRI sleuths sought the services of forest department..