illegal wildlife trade across the north-eastest

In a joint operation, the Assam Police and state forest department officials recently rescued 52 smuggled Indonesian birds and animals in Hailakandi

The rescued birds and animals were listed as six black lories, 42 red and blue lories, two babirusas (or deer-pigs, a kind of threatened wild pig species found in Indonesia) and two hornbills.

The incident underscores the fact that exotic animal smuggling into Northeast India has connections with Indonesia. According to the police statements, the shipment originated in Indonesia, passed through Myanmar, and made its way into India via Mizoram, with West Bengal as its intended final destination.

According to state forest officials, in the past five years, there has been a noticeable shift in the dynamics of the illegal wildlife trade across the north-eastern region of India.

Source: The Wire
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