Malkangiri, June 25 (UDN): In a major crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, the Forest Department on Thursday rescued around 300 freshwater turtles and arrested three persons near Padmagiri Chhak in Odisha’s Malkangiri district.

The turtles were allegedly being smuggled from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh into Malkangiri for illegal trade and consumption, officials said.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, forest officials launched a special operation and set up a strategic checkpoint near Padmagiri Chhak. During the operation, a four-wheeler suspected to be carrying wildlife contraband was intercepted and searched.

Officials recovered approximately 300 turtles packed in 20 sacks from the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle failed to produce any valid documents authorising transportation of the reptiles, following which three persons were taken into custody and the vehicle was seized.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were allegedly planning to sell the turtles in different villages of Malkangiri district. Sources said the reptiles were being traded at rates ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 350 per kilogram, driven by local demand.

Forest officials said the illegal trade in freshwater turtles continues to pose a serious threat to biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems in the region.

“The department is regularly conducting awareness campaigns and intensifying enforcement measures to curb wildlife trafficking. Based on intelligence inputs, we have been carrying out frequent raids and taking stringent action against offenders,” a forest official said.

The rescued turtles were later subjected to medical examination to assess their health condition and transit-related stress. After necessary procedures, they will be released into suitable natural water bodies to restore them to their habitat.

The Forest Department has launched a further investigation to ascertain whether the accused are part of a larger inter-state wildlife trafficking network.

Officials have reiterated their appeal to the public to refrain from consuming or trading in protected wildlife species and to report any information related to wildlife crimes to the authorities.