LAHORE: Officials of Customs and Wildlife departments posted at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, on Wednesday foiled a bid to smuggle as many as 42 rare green turtles abroad.
The Customs and Punjab Wildlife Department officials took the action on a tip-off that some people would attempt to smuggle rare green turtles abroad from Lahore Airport.
The rare turtles were being smuggled by hiding in diapers. The alleged smuggler has been arrested.
Sources said that when the Custom and Wildlife officials searched the passengers luggage, it was found that the green turtles were being taken out of the country by hiding in diapers.
Wildlife Department officials said the turtles were an endangered species and worth millions of rupees. They said that the leathery skins of the turtles were a delicacy in Japan and Thailand.
“The action will help the department to protect the endangered species. These rare turtles are found only in Pakistan. Due to illegal trade, fishing, and hunting, the reptiles are listed as vulnerable,” an official of the department told TheNewsTribe.com.
He said the captured green turtle would be released into water after treatment and monitoring for some time. The wildlife expert further said that green-dotted skin of the turtles is very expensive and is used in chemicals in Japan.
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