Page 82 - DRI ANNUAL REPORT EBOOK

Some of other significant seizures of wildlife/exotics by the DRI have been:
• Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur (Critically endangered species, endemic to the island of Madagascar and listed under CITES Appendix I)
• Hollock Gibbon (endangered species under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972)
• Palm Civet (endangered species under Schedule II of the Wild life Protection Act, 1972),
• Exotic birds of foreign origin including Rosellas, Nandin Conures, Peach Fronted Conures, Grass Parakeets, Maroon Tailed Conures, Scarlet Macaws, Blue & Yellow Macaws, Eclectus parrots, Pygmy Falcons, Mandarin Ducks, and Kookaburras (Kingfishers), Java Sparrows, Star Finches, Gouldian Finches, Cockatiels and Aracaris
• DRI has also made other seizures for cases involving Albino Monkeys and Crocodiles.
Pangolin [Manis crassicaudata]
Pangolins are currently the most heavily trafficked wild mammals in the world. Their meat is considered a delicacy, and has been attributed to have a medicinal/tonic value, their scales are used in traditional medicines, and pangolin skins are processed into leather products. All eight species of pangolin in the world are listed as ‘Threatened’ by the IUCN in Red List of Threatened Species. Pangolin is a critically endangered mammal placed in Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. International trade in pangolin and their body parts and derivatives is prohibited since all pangolin species are listed in CITES Appendix I. Seizure of 336.9 Kgs of Pangolin scales by the DRI in Guwahati, Assam have indicated that they were from the southern part of India and destined for Myanmar through Manipur.
Elephant [Elephas maximus] & Tiger [Panthera tigris]
These are flag species of India and signify the health of India’s natural heritage. There have been numerous attempts to poach and indulge in illicit activities on tusks, tiger bones, claws, skin, etc. Recent seizures of elephant tusks by the DRI, in Siliguri, Kolkata, Kokrajhar, etc. point to the dangers which this animal continues to face in the wild. Similarly seizure of tiger body parts viz. claws, etc. by the DRI in Kolkata point to the ever presence threats to its survival in the wilds.
48 SMUGGLING IN INDIA REPORT 2019-20