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Live Pangolin Pair Rescued in Major Wildlife Bust
28 Sep
Summary
- Mother and baby pangolins found alive in wildlife bust.
- Suspected tiger bones and canines seized in multi-state operation.
- Operation targeted an interstate wildlife trafficking corridor.
A major multi-agency operation has disrupted an interstate wildlife trafficking corridor, leading to the discovery of a live mother pangolin with her newborn, alongside 43 suspected tiger bones and two tiger canines. This operation, conducted on September 26 near Zimela, Maharashtra, also resulted in the detention of six suspects and the seizure of three motorcycles. The crackdown has illuminated a critical wildlife trafficking hotspot along the Aheri-Sironcha-Jinganoor-Bijapur belt, an area traversing Maharashtra, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh. This operation, part of 'Operation Safe Passage 3.0' and INTERPOL's 'Operation Thunder 2026', signifies a shift towards mapping wider trafficking networks rather than focusing solely on individual seizures. Previous phases of 'Operation Safe Passage' had previously targeted tiger skin trafficking and explored potential links between narcotics and wildlife trade. The involvement of multiple agencies, including the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, highlights the organized nature of this illicit trade. Forensic examination is underway to confirm the origin of the seized tiger derivatives and to identify all parties involved in the trafficking chain.
