Pawan Sharma, Honorary Wildlife Warden for Thane, said he received two images showing two people carrying a turtle, which was later identified as a hawksbill.
A viral image of two people carrying a rare, endangered hawksbill turtle stuck in near Bandstand has prompted animal activists to write to the Mangrove Cell as well as the Bandra Police Station to conduct a detailed inquiry.
Pawan Sharma, Honorary Wildlife Warden for Thane, said he received two images showing two people carrying a turtle, which was later identified as a hawksbill. An alert citizen had sent the images to fellow activists as well as Mangrove Cell officials. "The citizen who informed us of the incident had asked the duo why they are not releasing the turtle. They, however, were curt, and asked him not to interfere," he said.
Mangrove Cell officials claimed that their ground staff informed that the turtle was released back into the sea but "there is still no clarity as to why they were carrying it away in the first place", said a senior official.
Meanwhile, Sunish Subramanian Kunju, Wildlife Warden for Mumbai, visited the spot and also lodged an official complaint at the Bandra Police Station. Hawksbill turtles are protected under Schedule I - Part - II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
"The incident was reported from Bandstand area opposite Mannat and the faces of the two people can be seen clearly in the images, so it may not be difficult to trace them down. If the duo wanted to release the turtle, they should have done it at the spot. Also, even if they released it, why did they not inform the forest department or the police?
QUESTIONABLE ACT
- Mangrove Cell says their ground staff informed that the turtle was released back into the sea but there is still no clarity as to why they were carrying it away in the first place.
- Even when it was released, the two men not inform authorities.
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