Indian authorities arrested a Canadian at New Delhi airport after he tried to take a crocodile skull onto his flight.
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Details of crocodile skull discovered at India airport
Delhi Customs arrested the 32-year-old man at the security checkpoint at the Indira Gandhi International Airport before his flight to Canada on January 6. Authorities initially found the man, whose identity was not released, carrying “a skull with sharp teeth,” per PEOPLE.
In an article on X (formerly Twitter), Delhi Customs said the object resembled the jawbone of a baby crocodile. CNN reports that the Department of Forests and Wildlife conducted a forensic examination of the skull and confirmed that it was a baby crocodile. The animal is a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The organization determined this by examining the texture of the crocodile’s skull, tooth pattern, bony palate and shape of its nostrils.
Authorities later arrested the man for illegal possession of the skull. Additionally, he attempted to export a protected wildlife item and contravened the Customs Act, 1962. Additionally, the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife took possession of the crocodile head for laboratory testing.
“This case highlights a serious violation of wildlife and customs laws,” Delhi Customs wrote. “Collaboration between customs and forestry is crucial to ensure that these protected wildlife items are not smuggled. »
🚨 Canadian arrested at New Delhi’s IGI airport for carrying crocodile skull 🐊
Customs Department
New Delhi IGI Airport
Date: 06.01.2025Flight and passenger details:
• Flight number: Air Canada (AC 051)
•Itinerary: from New Delhi to Canada
•Departure date: 06.01.2025… pic.twitter.com/qX4qX3nyqZ– Delhi Customs (Airport & General) (@AirportGenCus) January 9, 2025
What’s next for the crocodile skull and more information on wildlife trafficking in India
Delhi Customs has started further investigation into the incident. Atul Bagai, former head of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in India, told CNN that India often faced wildlife trafficking, which made human capture a success significant.
“India is among the top ten countries that use the aviation sector for wildlife trafficking. “It’s an unwanted distinction,” Bagai explained.
CNN shares that this is not the first time someone has attempted to smuggle animals or animal parts through Indian airports. Between 2011 and 2020, airports recorded 141 wildlife seizures, involving 146 different animal species. Reptiles were among the most commonly found, accounting for 46% of seizures, including crocodiles, lizards, snakes and turtles.
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