A source from the Forest Department told mid-day that this is one of the biggest wildlife trafficking raids in Mumbai, and it was conducted under the guidance of Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Thane (Territorial) K. Pradeepa, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Sachin Repal, and Assistant Conservator of Forests Sonal Valvi
The officials are now investigating whether a larger wildlife trafficking network is involved, as the animals were brought into India from abroad, sources said
Two people, including a Malaysian national, were arrested by the Forest Department from a hotel in south Mumbai, and nine exotic animals — including seven gibbons (small apes) of different species and two pig-tailed macaques — were found in their possession, the officials said.
The officials are now investigating whether a larger wildlife trafficking network is involved, as the animals were brought into India from abroad, they said.
A source from the Forest Department told mid-day that this is one of the biggest wildlife trafficking raids in Mumbai, and it was conducted under the guidance of Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Thane (Territorial) K. Pradeepa, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Sachin Repal, and Assistant Conservator of Forests Sonal Valvi.
Range Forest Officer (RFO) Rakesh Bhoir from the Mumbai Range of the Thane Forest Department (Territorial) said, “We received a tip-off that two people, including one Malaysian national, had brought exotic wildlife species to Mumbai. Based on the information, we conducted a raid at a hotel in Colaba, South Mumbai. The Forest Department found four siamang gibbons, three white-faced gibbons, and two pig-tailed macaques in their possession. Except for one pig-tailed macaque, all the other animals had died. Further investigation is in progress.”
The accused arrested in the case are Sriram Subramaniana, a resident of Chennai, and Mathavi Sanllakundu. A case has been registered against the accused under several sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (Amended 2022).
Siamang gibbons are a protected species listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. They are native to the forests of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The white-faced gibbon is also classified as endangered.
Honorary Wildlife Warden of Thane and President of the NGO RAWW, Pawan Sharma, said, “The changing trends in illegal exotic wildlife trafficking are quite serious. Initially, the trade involved common species like turtles, iguanas, and lovebirds, which were easily available. But due to high demand and the lure of easy money, threatened species are now being trafficked in large quantities. Security at both airports needs to be increased, and authorities must be trained to identify such consignments, which often pass undetected through scanners because the animals, sedated and tightly packed, show little movement.”
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