A Canadian man was arrested in New Delhi, India after he tried to bring a baby crocodile skull onto a flight, according to Customs officials. The incident occurred during a security check at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) on January 6th. The man, who remains unidentified, was preparing to board a flight bound for Canada.
During the security screening, airport security personnel at IGI noticed a peculiar item in the man’s possession. Delhi Customs reported that upon inspecting the man’s belongings, security officials found a skull that closely resembled the jaw of a baby crocodile. The skull, weighing approximately 777 grams (or 1.7 pounds), was carefully wrapped in a cream-colored cloth.
Upon further investigation, the Department of Forests and Wildlife conducted a diagnostic test to confirm the origin of the skull. The test results revealed that the skull indeed belonged to a baby crocodile. This species is protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, a law in India designed to safeguard the nation’s wildlife and their environments from poaching, smuggling, and other illegal activities.
Following the discovery, the Canadian passenger was taken into custody for allegedly violating the Wildlife Protection Act by unlawfully possessing and attempting to export the crocodile skull. The skull was confiscated and handed over to the Department of Forests and Wildlife for additional testing and analysis.
The Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun is conducting further scientific examinations to determine the specific species of crocodile to which the skull belongs. The collaboration between Customs and Forest Departments is deemed essential in preventing the smuggling of protected wildlife items, as underscored by the Delhi Customs Department.
The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, while not explicitly mentioning crocodiles, does encompass “Amphibians and Reptiles” under its protective scope. This legislation serves as a vital tool in combating the illegal trade and trafficking of endangered wildlife within India.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding wildlife and customs laws to preserve endangered species and combat illegal wildlife trade. The joint efforts of the Customs and Forest Departments are instrumental in ensuring that protected wildlife items are not unlawfully smuggled or traded.
As of now, the Canadian man’s identity remains undisclosed, and further legal actions may be taken as the investigation progresses. The case of the crocodile skull found in possession of the Canadian traveler highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting wildlife and enforcing conservation laws both nationally and internationally.
