Archive · 10 Sep 2026
DRI Seizes Leopard Pelts, Tortoises and Tiger Bones
India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence carried out six operations against illegal wildlife trafficking.
The operations happened in different places during a 10-day period.
Officials said they seized animals and animal parts that are protected by law.
These included leopard pelts, live tortoises, geckos, pangolin scales and tiger bones.
Thirteen people were arrested.
In Odisha, one leopard pelt was found with a suspect.
In Bengaluru, 180 tortoises were hidden inside six cloth covers.
In Meghalaya, officers found dried pangolin scales in a truck.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence conducted six wildlife-smuggling operations across India over 10 days.
Officials seized two leopard pelts, 180 live Indian Star Tortoises, 12 live Tokay Geckos, around 24 kilograms of pangolin scales and 500 grams of tiger bones.
Thirteen people were arrested across the six operations, according to an official release.
In Jeypore, Odisha, officers recovered a leopard pelt and handed it and the suspect to the Koraput State Forest Department.
A separate operation in Bengaluru found 180 tortoises, while a truck intercepted in Meghalaya contained 14.68 kilograms of dried pangolin scales.
- Who
- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence conducted the operations, with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau identifying the tortoises; 13 people were arrested.
- What
- Six operations led to seizures of protected wildlife and wildlife derivatives, including leopard pelts, live tortoises, geckos, pangolin scales and tiger bones.
- When
- The operations took place over the 10 days before the official release; two specifically described operations occurred on September 7.
- Where
- The operations occurred at locations across India, including Jeypore and Koraput in Odisha, Bengaluru, and Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya.
- Why
- The operations targeted illegal trafficking of protected wildlife and wildlife derivatives.
- Operations
- Six significant operations were conducted across India over 10 days.
- Arrests
- Thirteen people were arrested.
- Seized wildlife
- Two leopard pelts, 180 live Indian Star Tortoises and 12 live Tokay Geckos.
- Seized derivatives
- Around 24 kilograms of pangolin scales and 500 grams of tiger bones.
- Bengaluru seizure
- 180 live Indian Star Tortoises were found concealed in six cloth covers.
- Meghalaya seizure
- A Bolero truck in Ri-Bhoi district contained 14.68 kilograms of dried pangolin scales.
- Legal protection
- The Indian Star Tortoise and leopard are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.