Interpol announced the conclusion of an investigation that led to the dismantling of a network dedicated to the illegal trafficking of protected species, resulting in the arrest of 15 individuals and the repatriation of a hundred turtles confiscated in Bangkok in 2022.
The operation began in July 2022 when authorities at Bangkok airport found 116 turtle hatchlings hidden in the luggage of a Ukrainian citizen traveling from Dar es-Salaam. The seized species included land turtles, radiated turtles, and Aldabra giant turtles, all protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Although the alleged trafficker managed to flee Thailand before facing trial, authorities were able to locate her in Bulgaria in March 2023 and extradited her to Tanzania after a “red notice” alert issued by Interpol.
The investigation revealed the existence of a transnational organization operating from Egypt, Indonesia, Madagascar, and Tanzania. In addition to the Ukrainian woman, 14 other individuals were also arrested as they were purportedly part of this network.
Impact on wildlife from the illegal trafficking of protected turtles
In total, 116 turtles were seized, of which only 20 survived the mistreatment and conditions they were transported in. Both the living and deceased specimens were sent back to Tanzania, where the survivors were quarantined before being reintroduced into their natural habitat.
“This case underscores the commitment of international forces to protect vulnerable species, combat the illegal wildlife trade, and bring perpetrators to justice,” stated Cyril Gout, Interpol’s acting Executive Director of Police Services.
This operation represents a significant step forward in the fight against illegal species trafficking, an activity that poses a serious threat to global biodiversity.
turtles
Wild turtles: threatened by a new species of parasite
Wild turtles face a new threat to their survival: a new species of parasite. A group of scientists from the Center for Wildlife Conservation and the National University of San Juan (UNSJ) announced the discovery of this new parasite, which represents a significant advancement for science and the conservation of this species.
This finding was published in the Bulgarian scientific journal Natural History under the title: “Description of Cruzia sanjuanensis sp. nov. (Cosmocercoidea: Kathlaniidae) in the tortoise Chelonoidis chilensis (Testudines: Testudinidae) in the province of San Juan, Argentina”. Led by veterinarians Cynthia González Rivas and Iván Simoncelli, the study describes a new species of parasite inhabiting the large intestine of the land turtle Chelonoidis chilensis, a species native to the Cuyo region that is critically endangered.
This research is a crucial step for the protection of land turtles and their environment. While these turtles are emblematic of the region, experts have limited information about their health and interactions with these parasites.
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