Rare species of turtle seized from hotel in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Rare species of turtles has been seized from a hotel in Odisha’s Capital city of Bhubaneswar. Bhubaneswar Wildlife Reserve officials have seized five turtles were seized from Zinzibar Hotel in the Nayapalli area of the Capital city.

According to the sources, these turtles are flap shell turtles and are illegal to keep. Keeping Schedule-I animals is punishable under the Wildlife Protection Act, of 1972. Following the seizure, a case has been registered. The wildlife officials have also detained the hotel staff and are interrogating them.

These rare species of turtles are mainly exported outside the state. It has a huge demand for large hotels. Even its price per kilo is up to Rs 1100, which is twice the price of mutton.

Flap shell turtles are a critically endangered species, and their illegal capture and trade pose a serious threat to their survival. Conservationists and wildlife authorities have been working diligently to safeguard these turtles and their natural habitats from exploitation.