Bengaluru: The fresh water turtle trade is thriving and the network has spread in most Indian metros, especially those located on the coast. The recent case where two people from Chennai were caught with 72 spotted-black terrapins at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru had confessed that they were supplied from Kolkata.

Two years ago, about twenty turtles or fresh water terrapins were found in a temple tank in Bengaluru. The devotees had reportedly ‘gifted’ them and they are even ready to take the illegal route to procure one. A haul of terrapins at Dhaka airport recently revealed that they were being smuggled for research purposes, after which they were even sold as pets.

There are numbers of gangs smuggling such endangered animals. Professor V.N. Nayak, a marine biologist, points out that for the scientific turtles and frogs evoke great interest for research as these creatures have lived through all the changes that occurred on the earth.

“The turtles are procured from several fresh water sources and smuggled to foreign countries. Many countries use them as pets and some even as food. But recently there has been a great demand for different turtles found in fresh water for research purposes. Their gene structure is being studied to explore the strength and resilience factor among these creatures,” he said.

Officials dealing with wildlife crime prevention claim that there is hardly any awareness among the officials manning check points at airport and ports. “Many times the smugglers pass off these fresh water turtles as some foreign turtles, which are not protected under the Indian wildlife laws. However it’s important that the cargo section in airports and ports must ensure that wildlife experts give the final consent before sending any animal abroad or receive them from other countries,” an expert said.

Rescued turtles in Bannerghatta

The 72 terrapins which were rescued on Monday from KIA have now been shifted to a new shelter inside the Bannerghatta zoo.