VISAKHAPATNAM: In a tragic wildlife poaching incident, officials from the Folkspeta forest division discovered 64 dead turtles and rescued seven live ones on the outskirts of Gangavaram in the Alluri Sitarama Raju district on Thursday. The operation was conducted following a tip-off about ongoing wildlife trafficking in the area.
Forest Range Officer (FRO) M. Karunakar and his team were conducting vehicle checks when they spotted a suspicious van trying to evade a checkpoint. Despite their efforts, the poachers escaped into the dense forest. The next morning, officials found the abandoned turtles near the village outskirts. Reports indicate the poachers were attempting to transport the turtles to Odisha, where there is a high demand for turtle meat.
FRO Karunakar explained, "The poachers were headed to Odisha. As part of a 100-day action plan, check posts were set up across various locations in the region. Upon seeing us at the Gangavaram checkpoint, they turned back but encountered another checkpost. They then fled into the forest near a water stream, abandoning the turtles."
Local villagers later reported seeing turtles on the road, leading officials to the site where they found gunny bags containing the reptiles. While many turtles escaped into a nearby water stream, officials confirmed that 64 were found dead, although seven were alive and subsequently released back into the stream.
The poaching of turtles is part of a broader interstate wildlife trafficking operation, primarily driven by demand for turtle meat in Odisha. Karunakar noted, "This is an ongoing issue, with poachers exploiting dense forests and water bodies to carry out their illegal activities. We need more anti-poaching squads in vulnerable areas, including ASR, East Godavari, West Godavari, Konaseema, and Rajamahendravaram."
The forest department has identified key hotspots for turtle poaching, including Tanuku, Ramachandrapuram, Penugonda, Ethakota, and Akividu. Efforts are underway to enhance surveillance and curb these incidents, emphasizing the need for a coordinated approach to combat the illegal trade that threatens local wildlife and the ecological balance.