Major Wildlife Trafficking Bust In India: 440+ Endangered & Protected Wild Animals Seized, 33 Arrested

Photos: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Government of India

In a major victory against the illegal wildlife trade, authorities in India seized more than 440 endangered and protected wild animals and approximately 15 kilograms of elephant ivory and ivory articles during a series of coordinated wildlife trafficking operations carried out across the country.

According to India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of 33 individuals allegedly involved in wildlife trafficking and the recovery of numerous endangered species, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by illegal wildlife crime.

One of the largest operations took place near Sujangarh, Rajasthan, where authorities intercepted individuals allegedly involved in the illegal ivory trade and seized approximately 11 kilograms of elephant ivory. Four suspects were apprehended and turned over to the Forest Department for further action under India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Additional investigations in Howrah led to the seizure of two ivory religious idols believed to have been smuggled into India from Bangladesh, while another operation in Mysuru resulted in the seizure of approximately 4 kilograms of elephant ivory and the arrest of three additional suspects.

Authorities also dismantled an interstate wildlife trafficking network during coordinated operations across Maharashtra and West Bengal. The joint investigation, involving the DRI, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), led to the rescue of numerous protected species, including 15 slow lorises, two binturongs, 28 Indian star tortoises, six Egyptian vultures, and two shikras. Six suspects were arrested in connection with the case.

In separate enforcement actions at international airports, officials also intercepted multiple attempts to smuggle protected wildlife into India on flights arriving from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Colombo. Among the rescued animals were gibbons, monkeys, pythons, tortoises, lizards, iguanas, turtles, and other protected reptiles and mammals.

Additional operations carried out across Bengaluru, Warangal, Pune, Surat, Chennai, Kolkata, Trichy, Madurai, Srikakulam, Hojai, Rajasthan, Mysuru, and Howrah also resulted in the seizure of illegally traded wildlife products, including pangolin scales, a leopard pelt, seahorse-derived wildlife products, red sanders, protected snakes, squirrels, and other endangered species.

The coordinated enforcement effort brought together multiple national, state, and local agencies, underscoring the broad collaboration required to combat organized wildlife trafficking.

Wildlife trafficking remains one of the world’s largest illegal trades, fueling biodiversity loss while pushing countless species toward extinction. The coordinated operations, which led to the seizure and rescue of more than 440 endangered and protected wild animals and the dismantling of multiple trafficking networks, mark an important step toward safeguarding India’s extraordinary wildlife and holding those responsible for these crimes accountable.