On Tuesday, Srikakulam forest officials dismantled an illegal wildlife trafficking network, rescuing 21 exotic animals, including 17 African ball pythons, three African sulcata tortoises, and one African serval cat. Three men were arrested, and a Toyota Innova vehicle was seized during the operation.
The primary investigation revealed that the accused had been smuggling wildlife between Odisha and Karnataka for several months. The arrested individuals—Syed Liyaqath Ulla, Vijaykumar, and Mujahid Ahmed Khan—were apprehended at the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) in Itchapuram after police intercepted their vehicle with the registration number MH09 BM 599.
Palasa-Kasibugga Forest Range Officer (FRO) A Murali Krishna Naidu confirmed that the accused, all from Bengaluru, were involved in the illegal trade of exotic animals. Under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, transporting wildlife is a serious offense. Authorities have filed charges and are continuing to investigate the network to uncover other individuals involved in the illegal trade.
