473 Turtles Seized in Malkangiri

Kalimela: In a big success for Malkangiri Forest Department, as many as 473 live turtles have been seized in Malkangiri districts on Friday while they were being illegally smuggled. The Motu Forest section sized the illegal consignment. However, the smugglers managed to flee from the scene.

As per reports, after getting some information from a reliable source, M. V-79 Ranger Rashmi Ranjan Swain, along with Motu section Forester Murali Angulia and the forest department staff prepared a blueprint to catch the smugglers. Accordingly, they secretly waited at the Motu Check point at 3 am. As the smugglers appeared, the forest department personnel stopped and seized the vehicle and found the turtles.

It was found that 473 turtled were being illegally transported in 13 sacks from Andhra Pradesh to Odisha.

All the tortoises and the bolero vehicle seized and have been kept at the M. V-79 forest office. Further investigation is underway.

It is to be noted that earlier also, the forest department in Malkangiri has been successful in such catches.