Wildlife officials seize over 500 turtles in Karachi

KARACHI: Officials of the Sindh Wildlife Department in a late night raid on Friday seized over 500 turtles in Karachi and nabbed nine suspected smugglers, they said.

The raid was conducted in Gizri area of the city late on Friday night, wherein wildlife officials seized more than 500 turtles. These turtles were being smuggled out of country, said wildlife conservator Saeed Baloch.

Three foreigners were also among nine suspects arrested in the raid. Officials said they were preparing a case against arrested suspects.

On August 31, police had seized a considerable quantity of snake and turtle meat during a raid in Thatta, some 92 kilometers from here. A suspect had managed to flee before the law enforcers swooped.

Officials had stated that the meat used to be supplied to hotels in Karachi.

A number of reptiles and turtles, found alive in the raid, were handed over to officials from the Wildlife Department.