As we celebrate Wildlife Week, it’s crucial to shine a light on one of the gravest threats to India’s biodiversity — wildlife trafficking. Despite stringent laws and the tireless work of conservationists, India continues to be a hotspot for illegal wildlife trade. The demand for animal parts, live specimens, and exotic species both within the country and across international borders remains alarmingly high.
From majestic Tigers to rare Rhino horns, elusive Pangolins, many of India’s unique species face extinction due to habitat loss and poaching. Three years ago, Hyderabad, police and Forest Department officials busted a major wildlife trafficking operation, rescuing four Slow Lorises, an Indian Star Tortoise, and a Softshell Turtle, and arresting a suspect. More recently this June, Hyderabad was linked to an illegal transport of Pythons and Lizards, seized while transporting to Bhopal.
Let’s delve deeper into some of the most trafficked wild animals in India, understanding the scale of the problem and why their protection is so vital. According to the Wildlife Conservation Society – India [WCS-India] collected and collated 57 illegal wildlife trade related data from various regions across India in September. The highest number of wildlife seizure incidents were reported from Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Assam.
Some of the wildlife species included Tortoises and Turtles, Tiger and Leopard skins, even marine animals like Seahorse, Corals, Sea cucumbers. The Indian star .
