204 turtles seized in Visakha agency

VISAKHAPATNAM: The forest department rescued around 204 Indian soft-shelled terrapin turtles that were being smuggled to Odisha in a wrapped cloth bag in Mullimetta village near GK Veedhi in the Visakha agency on Saturday. The smugglers, however, managed to escape from the spot after spotting the patrolling team. This is the first time that turtles were seized in Visakha agency.
According to sources, of the 220 turtles seized by the patrolling team of the forest department of Chintapalli forest range,16 were dead. The remaining turtles were shifted to Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Vizag, sources said.
Chintapalli forest range officer B Ramnaresh told media persons that there is a huge demand for turtle meat which has medicinal value. According to sources, the smugglers collect turtles from Vizag and East Godavari to transport to Odisha via Chintapalli and GK Veedhi route.
The seized turtles are of different sizes, weighing from 200 grams to 1.5 kg. The cops have registered a case and an investigation is on.