6 Eastern Blue Tongued Lizards seized from two Thailand fliers at Vizag airport
On questioning and examining the two items of the accused's baggage, six live exotic animals were found concealed in cake packets
By Newsmeter Network Published on 27 Nov 2024 9:45 AM GMT
6 Eastern Blue Tongued Lizards seized from two Thailand fliers at Vizag airport
Visakhapatnam: The officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) caught two passengers travelling from Thailand and rescued six Eastern Blue Tongued Lizards, a rare species native to Australia, from their possession.
Acting on specific intelligence, officers of the DRI on November 23 night intercepted two passengers travelling from Bangkok, Thailand, at the Visakhapatnam International Airport.
On questioning and examining the two items of the accused's baggage, six live exotic animals were found concealed in cake packets. Rokkam Kiran Kumar, a snake conservationist helped the officials to open the boxes containing three Blotched Blue-Tongued Lizards and three Western Blue-Tongued Lizards.
The WCCB certified that the six Eastern Blue Tongued Lizards (Tiliqua scincoides scincoides) appeared alive. They are listed in Appendix III of CITES and Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
As per the EXIM policy, the import of live animals listed in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and CITES without a valid DGFT license, NOCs from chief wildlife warden and MoEF&CC, CITES Export Permit and Animal Quarantine Certificate are prohibited. Also, the exotic wild animals seized are prohibited goods under Section 2(33), customs Act, 1962.
Certain species of lizards can live up to 20 years or longer
All six live Eastern Blue Tongued Lizards were seized and sent to Thailand.
As suggested by these common names, a prominent characteristic of the genus is a large blue tongue that the reptile uses as a false warning to potential enemies. Some species of this genus are kept as household pets. They are on average very friendly when raised in captivity and are often called āthe dogs of reptilesā. Captive specimens can live 20 years or longer.
Although there is a ban, the blue tongue is a very popular lizard as an illegal trade item due to its unique tongue colour. When these lizards are kept as pets, they often are attracted to horizontal pipes, cavities and rocks under houses as hiding sites.
The two passengers were arrested under The Customs Act, 1962, read with Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Further investigation is in progress.
