Wildlife Smuggling Foiled At Pune Airport: Rare Exotic Species Seized, Two Arrested
Wildlife Smuggling Foiled At Pune Airport: Rare Exotic Species Seized, Two Arrested
Pune, July 17, 2025: Pune Customs officials foiled an attempt to smuggle exotic wildlife into India, arresting two passengers who arrived from Bangkok with a cache of rare and protected animal species.
The accused, identified as Zaheerabbas Aynal Mandal and Bhavesh Rameshbhai Solanki, were intercepted at Pune Airport after landing on Air India Express flight IX-241 on July 15. Acting on prior intelligence, Customs officers conducted a thorough search and uncovered live animals concealed in their luggage.
The seizure included:
- 14 Green Tree Pythons (Morelia viridis) – 13 alive, 1 deceased
- 4 Double-eyed Fig Parrots (Cyclopsitta diophthalma)
- 2 Sumatran Striped Rabbits (Nesolagus netscheri)
These species, native to Southeast Asia, are protected under international conservation laws and are prohibited for import without special permissions.
Customs registered a case under the Customs Act, 1962 and the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Both suspects are in custody as authorities investigate the source and intended recipients of the smuggled wildlife.
A senior Customs official said, “This operation highlights the rising threat of wildlife trafficking through air routes. Such illegal trade not only breaches national and international laws but also puts rare species at risk of extinction.”
The rescued animals have been handed over to wildlife authorities for medical care and rehabilitation. Investigators are probing possible links to a larger trafficking network.
