Two held at Pune airport for bringing exotic wildlife species from Bangkok

Pune, Jul 16 (PTI) Two passengers have been arrested at the Pune International Airport for allegedly trying to smuggle exotic wildlife species into the country from Bangkok, officials said on Wednesday.

Acting on specific intelligence, Pune Customs officers intercepted Zaheerabbas Aynal Mandal and Bhavesh Rameshbhai Solanki after they landed in the city on an Air India Express Flight on Monday.

Upon inspection, officials recovered a total of 20 exotic animals from their baggage, including 14 green tree pythons of which 13 were found alive and one dead, four double-eyed fig parrots and two Sumatran striped rabbits, a senior customs official said.

"These species were brought into the country without proper documentation or requisite clearances. They are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972," he added.

Both the passengers were arrested and further investigation is underway, the official said. PTI SPK KRK