News
Puttalam star tortoises in moon light walk to smugglers’ trap
View(s):The recent detection of a collection of star tortoises in Puttalam while they were being readied to be smuggled out of the country has sparked off fresh concerns over the district becoming a hotspot of the illegal trade.
Under threat: Indian star tortoises or Geocheiane Eiegans
Smuggling activities have increased, with a large number of star tortoises freely roaming in moon light in the Puttalam district, according to wildlife activists.
They say the Puttalam star tortoises also known as Indian star tortoises or Geocheiane Eiegans, has caught the attention of the smugglers. They are listed as a protected species under the Fauna and Flora Act.
It is reported that these wild life criminals comb the Tabbova Sanctuary looking for star tortoises.
Wildlife officials and Police have conducted several joint operations to locate the stores where the smugglers hide their catch and the nets they lay out to capture the tortoises. In one such operation carried out with the support of the Air Force, a hideout in Kadayamattama was raided and several suspects were arrested.
Wildlife expert Anslem de Silva says Sri Lanka is a top breeding location for star tortoises although they are found in most parts of Asia. “Our research has shown that Sri Lanka has been a breeding ground for the species for nearly 17 centuries and they had faced no threat in the past to their existence,” he said.
However, he warned that the star tortoises could be on the edge of their death if smuggling goes unchecked.
Dr. de Silva said this non-violent reptile, which had a life span of 100 years, should be protected for posterity.
Environmentalist Jagath Gunewardene said the Fauna and Flora Act had provision to arrest any one who possessed a star tortoise without due permission or is involved in the selling of the protected animal.
However, with all this statutory provisions being in force, the smuggling process continues unchecked.
Text and pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
Police officers with the recently detected collection of tortoises
