In brief
A recent incident at Delhi airport highlights the continuous battle against wildlife trafficking, involving a Canadian man caught with a baby crocodile skull in his luggage.
In a significant wildlife trafficking case, Indian authorities arrested a 32-year-old Canadian man at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport for carrying a crocodile skull in his luggage. The arrest took place on Monday as he was preparing to board a flight to Canada. According to Delhi customs, the skull, weighing approximately 777 grams (1.71 pounds), was wrapped in a cream-colored cloth and was discovered during a routine security check.Upon examination, wildlife department officials confirmed it was the skull of a baby crocodile, which is a species protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act. A detailed analysis determined the skull's characteristics, including its sharp teeth and distinct bony features, confirming its origin. In a statement, forest officer Rajesh Tandon revealed that the man acquired the skull in Thailand but failed to procure the necessary permissions to transport wildlife artifacts.Despite the man's claims that he neither hunted nor killed the crocodile, the possession of such an item violates both India's wildlife protection laws and Customs Act. With further tests ongoing to ascertain the exact sub-species of the crocodile, Delhi customs has registered a case against the man, prompting an in-depth investigation into the incident. This event follows a similar case from the previous year, where a Canadian woman was found carrying animal horns at the same airport, demonstrating the ongoing challenge of wildlife smuggling operations in the region.
