A 32-year-old Canadian man was arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in New Delhi while attempting to board a flight to Canada. During a routine security check, authorities discovered a crocodile skull concealed in his luggage, leading to serious legal consequences.
The man was stopped by security personnel as he prepared to depart for Canada. Upon inspection, the crocodile skull was found, prompting immediate action from the airport authorities. The skull has since been handed over to the Department of Forests and Wildlife for laboratory testing. This species of crocodile is protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act, indicating that the man had violated both wildlife protection and customs regulations.
India ranks among the top ten countries where wildlife trafficking is prevalent, particularly through its airline sector. Between 2011 and 2020, there were 141 reported incidents of wildlife seizures at airports across the nation. These incidents involved 146 different animal species, with reptiles—including crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and tortoises—comprising 46% of all seizures during that period.
The Indian government has taken a firm stance against wildlife trafficking, aiming to strengthen enforcement of its Wildlife Protection Act and adhere to international agreements such as CITES. In light of this latest incident, Delhi Customs stated, “This case highlights a serious violation of wildlife and customs laws. Collaboration between Customs and Forest Departments is crucial to ensuring such protected wildlife items are not smuggled.”
Atul Bagai, the former head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in India, expressed concern over the situation, remarking, “This is an unwanted accolade,” referring to India's troubling reputation in wildlife trafficking.
The issue of wildlife smuggling at airports is not isolated. Last year, a four-foot-long live boa constrictor was discovered in a passenger's bag at Florida's Tampa Airport (TPA). Such occurrences underline the ongoing challenges faced by authorities worldwide in combating wildlife trafficking.
Additionally, a report released by TRAFFIC in 2022 indicated that the rapid growth of India's aviation sector is linked to the misuse of airports for smuggling wildlife. As travelers continue to attempt bringing animals or animal parts in carry-on luggage, authorities remain vigilant in their inspections.
The recent arrest serves as a stark reminder of the importance of enforcing wildlife laws and protecting endangered species. The collaboration between various departments is essential to combat this persistent issue effectively.
