Overview
- The DRI’s Pune unit intercepted suspects during intelligence-driven surveillance and recovered three live Malabar giant squirrels and seven live Indian star tortoises from two men, with the operation reported on Wednesday.
- Both species are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which makes hunting, possession, transport and trade illegal except under narrow legal exemptions.
- The rescued animals, the packing material used to conceal them and the two apprehended men were handed to the Pune Forest Department and the animals were admitted to the Wildlife Transit Treatment Centre run with RESQ for medical care.
- A case was registered under multiple sections of the Wildlife Protection Act and the two accused were remanded to four days' forest custody as officials probe where the animals were sourced and who else may be involved.
- The DRI framed the raid as part of its wider intelligence-led anti-smuggling work and has recently reported large multi-state seizures of contraband such as nearly 300,000 e-cigarettes, highlighting broader enforcement against illicit trade.