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Indian authorities have arrested a Canadian man at Delhi airport for attempting to smuggle a crocodile skull in his luggage.
The 32-year-old man was caught during a routine security check on Monday as he was preparing to board a flight to Canada.
According to a statement released by Delhi Customs on Thursday, officials discovered a skull wrapped in a cream-coloured cloth, which weighed approximately 777 grams (1.71 pounds). Upon closer examination, it was identified as the skull of a baby crocodile, characterised by its sharp teeth and distinctive jaw structure.
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The man was immediately arrested, and the skull was seized and handed over to the Department of Forests and Wildlife for further analysis. Officials confirmed that the skull violated both India’s Wildlife Protection Act and its Customs Act.
“The texture, tooth pattern, well-developed bony palate, and nostrils confirmed the item as the skull of a baby crocodile,” said the Department of Forests and Wildlife. Further investigations are underway to determine the exact subspecies of the crocodile.
Reports indicate that the man had allegedly purchased the skull from Thailand.
According to Rajesh Tandon, a forest officer, the man did not have the necessary permits required for carrying wildlife items.
He also denied involvement in the hunting or killing of the crocodile.
The incident follows a similar case last year when a Canadian woman was arrested at the same airport after being found with the horns of an unidentified animal in her luggage.
She claimed to have picked them up as a souvenir during a trek in the Ladakh region.
Indian authorities have emphasised the importance of adhering to wildlife protection laws, especially given the country’s diverse and endangered species. The man remains under investigation, and a case has been registered against him.
Source: BBC
