-The Hindu
VIJAYAWADA: The Krishna District Forest Department authorities (of Wildlife Management) seized about 5,000 tortoises being transported illegally on Tuesday.
On a tip-off, the team led by Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) G. Anand conducted a raid in Kalidindi mandal in the wee hours and recovered the tortoises packed in 70 gunny bags. The tortoises were being smuggled to Odisha State, said the DFO.
"About 100 tortoises were packed in each gunny bag. The accused managed to escape into the dark when the forest officials’ team visited the spot. We are trying to find out from where and who were shifting the tortoises", said Mr. Anand.