Mumbai, Aug 23 (PTI) As many as 216 Indian Star Tortoises rescued during operations against wildlife traffickers in Mumbai and Thane have been released in the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, officials said on Sunday.
The initiative was aimed at facilitating the systematic and scientifically managed repatriation of Indian Star Tortoises rescued from trafficking and illegal possession in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The project seeks to address the recurring recovery of Star Tortoises from wildlife trafficking networks by establishing a structured framework for their rehabilitation, health assessment and periodic repatriation to suitable natural habitats, officials added.
The operation was carried out by a 10-member team comprising wildlife experts and personnel from the Maharashtra Forest Department’s Mumbai Range and RAWW (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare).
The 216 tortoises had been seized during various law-enforcement operations against illegal wildlife trafficking and rescued during separate interventions in Mumbai and Thane.
The tortoises were transported more than 800 km to Tadoba in a specialised wildlife ambulance. On arrival at Tadoba, the reptiles underwent comprehensive medical re-examination and were kept overnight for rest and observation, officials said.
They were subsequently released in batches into designated forest ranges in accordance with conservation protocols, following a scientifically determined male-to-female ratio.
The successful repatriation highlights the Maharashtra Forest Department’s commitment to combating wildlife crime and ensuring that animals recovered from the illegal pet trade are rehabilitated and returned to suitable natural habitats, officials said. PTI ZA NSK
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