Title: Man Caught with Crocodile Skull in Luggage at Delhi Airport
A 32-year-old individual, whose name remained unspecified by authorities, was detained during a security screening at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). During the check, authorities discovered a peculiar item; a 777-gram skull, bearing the distinctive features of a baby crocodile's jaw, wrapped in a cream-colored cloth.
According to Delhi Customs, the skull belonged to a species covered under the Wildlife Protection Act, and the individual's actions violated both the law and the Customs Act. The skull was handed over to the Department of Forests and Wildlife for further examination.
"This incident underscores a serious breach of wildlife and customs regulations," Delhi Customs stated. They emphasized the importance of cooperation between Customs and Forest Departments to curb such unlawful distribution of protected wildlife items.
In a 2022 report by TRAFFIC, a non-governmental organization that monitors wildlife trade, it was revealed that as India's aviation sector rapidly flourished, so did the illicit use of airports for wildlife smuggling within the country and across neighboring regions.
Between 2011 and 2020, 141 wildlife smuggling incidents were documented at airports across India, involving 146 distinct animal species. Among these, reptiles-including crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and tortoises-constituted 46 percent of all seizures.
"India is among the top ten nations utilizing the airline sector for wildlife trafficking," said Atul Bagai, head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in India, following the report's release. "This title is undesired."
As a response, the Indian government has taken initiatives to combat the illegal trading of wild animals, acting under the Wildlife Protection Act and as a member of CITES, the highest international lawmaking body regarding wildlife trade.
Unsurprisingly, this is not the first time a passenger has attempted to transport live animals or their parts in hand luggage. In the previous year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) discovered a four-foot-long live boa constrictor in a traveler's baggage at Florida's Tampa Airport (TPA), resulting in humorous Instagram posts laced with snake puns from the TSA.
Airport-specific measures to prevent wildlife smuggling include the establishment of wildlife hazard management teams, like the one consisting of biologists at Delhi Airport, which employs methods such as grass trimming and scarecrows to deter birds. Bengaluru airport and Mumbai airport have also implemented similar strategies to prevent bird collisions and maintain a bird and wildlife-free environment.
Training and awareness amongst airport staff and local communities are crucial in the fight against wildlife smuggling. Although there is a lack of education in this area, measures such as public awareness campaigns, monitoring the retail market, and community engagement are being utilized to address the issue.
The Wildlife Protection Act and international cooperation, including the involvement of organizations like Interpol, are additional tools in the ongoing effort to combat wildlife smuggling.
Despite the efforts to prevent wildlife smuggling, such incidents continue to surface at airports. For example, a recent news report revealed that a passenger tried to travel with a news-worthy item – a baby crocodile skull wrapped in cloth – which is illegal under both the Wildlife Protection Act and the Customs Act.
Furthermore, with the rapid growth of India's travel sector, airports have become popular spots for illegal wildlife trade, often involving reptiles such as crocodiles and other species, as highlighted in a 2022 TRAFFIC report.
