Critically Endangered Animals Seized at Kolkata Airport

Customs officials at Kolkata airport intercepted a shipment of critically endangered animals on Tuesday morning. The seizure included a pair of juvenile white-cheeked gibbons, 15 endangered north American wood turtles, and 10 critically endangered four-eyed turtles. These animals arrived on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok. The individual responsible for the consignment fled the scene, abandoning the bag at the baggage claim. Authorities are currently attempting to apprehend the suspect using information obtained from immigration officials.

The white-cheeked gibbons, native to Vietnam and Laos, are heavily trafficked for the pet industry, traditional medicine, and bushmeat, facing an 80% population decline due to poaching and habitat loss. The four-eyed turtle and American wood turtle are also critically endangered and have been part of international pet trade since 2012. Herpetologists note that these turtle species have not been previously recorded in Bengal's trade records. Officials plan to deport the seized animals on the same flight to their country of origin.

This incident has reignited concerns regarding the lack of adequate animal holding areas at international arrival zones. While the airport has facilities for legally imported animals, illegally smuggled animals without health clearance pose a significant biosecurity threat to the nation.