DRI seizes leopard pelts, 180 Indian star tortoises, tokay geckos, pangolin scales and tiger bones in six operations
On 9 September 2026, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence reported seizing two leopard pelts, 180 live Indian star tortoises, 12 tokay geckos, about 24 kg of pangolin scales and 500 g of tiger bones in six operations, arresting 13 people.
Summary
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) said on 9 September 2026 that six intelligence-led operations over the previous 10 days led to the seizure of two leopard pelts, 180 live Indian star tortoises, 12 live tokay geckos, about 24 kg of pangolin scales and 500 grams of tiger bones, with 13 arrests. A leopard pelt was recovered at Jeypore in Koraput district, Odisha, on 7 September, and 180 star tortoises hidden in cloth covers were seized near Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, the same day; the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau identified them as Geochelone elegans. Leopards and Indian star tortoises are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which bans trade in them and their parts.
Key facts
- Seized
- 2 leopard pelts, 180 star tortoises, 12 tokay geckos, ~24 kg pangolin scales, 500 g tiger bones
- Arrests
- 13, in six operations
- Odisha
- Leopard pelt — Jeypore, Koraput, 7 Sep
- Karnataka
- 180 star tortoises — Bengaluru, 7 Sep
- Species ID
- WCCB — Geochelone elegans
- Law
- Schedule I, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How many live Indian star tortoises did the DRI seize in Bengaluru, as reported on 9 September 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 180
DRI recovered 180 live Indian star tortoises concealed in six cloth covers near Gandhinagar, Bengaluru.
Consider the following about the DRI wildlife seizures reported on 9 September 2026: 1. The Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. The leopard pelt was seized at Jeypore in Koraput district of Odisha. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. WCCB identified the tortoises as Geochelone elegans, a Schedule I species, and one leopard pelt was recovered at Jeypore, Koraput.