Ahmedabad: In a coordinated operation, the Ahmedabad Rural Special Operations Group (SOG) and Ahmedabad Social Forestry Department busted a wildlife trafficking racket, seizing over 130 protected birds and tortoises.

Acting on information received on Sunday, two teams were deployed in the Delhi Chakla area. Team 1 reached Kidi Padani Pol, Shahpur, where 34 Indian star tortoises—protected under Schedule-1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972—were found in a cage. Meanwhile, Team 2 reached Gundi Chowk, Shahpur, and recovered 101 Rose-ringed parakeets, protected under Schedule-2 of the Act.

A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and legal proceedings are underway. The seized animals have been safely transported to the Wildlife Care Center, Bodakdev, Daskroi Range, for proper care, the Social Forestry Department, Ahmedabad, said in a press release.

The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the racket. DeshGujarat