Indian authorities apprehended a 32-year-old Canadian man at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport for attempting to smuggle a crocodile skull onto his flight.
The arrest occurred on January 6, during a security check-in, when Delhi Customs officials discovered the man carrying a suspicious item.
Initially, the item was described as “a skull with sharp teeth.” However, upon closer inspection by the Department of Forests and Wildlife, it was confirmed to be the skull of a baby crocodile, a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
The forensic examination revealed distinctive characteristics, including the texture, tooth pattern, bony palate, and shape of the nostrils, which identified the skull as belonging to a baby crocodile.
The man was subsequently arrested for illegally possessing the skull, attempting to export a protected wildlife item, and violating the Customs Act of 1962. The Department of Forests and Wildlife took possession of the crocodile skull for further laboratory testing.
Delhi Customs condemned the incident, stating, “This case highlights a serious violation of wildlife and customs laws.”
They spoke about the importance of collaboration between Customs and Forest Departments to prevent the smuggling of protected wildlife items.
Atul Bagai, the former Head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in India, praised the authorities for their prompt action. “India is among the top ten countries in terms of using the airline sector for wildlife trafficking. This is an unwanted accolade,” Bagai said.
