Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests N. Vasudevan has initiated an inquiry into two unidentified men allegedly carrying an endangered hawksbill sea turtle in a net near Bandstand in Bandra.
An alert resident, who spotted the two men carrying the turtle on Tuesday morning, circulated their photograph among wildlife activists. While the turtle was released into the sea, activists are upset that no case was registered against the culprits.
“We are investigating the matter currently. Our team went to the spot soon after we were alerted about the incident,” Mr. Vasudevan told The Hindu on Wednesday. “We have not ruled out anything so far. It could be an attempt to keep the turtle or it could be that it was entangled in the net.”
According to Sunish Subramanian Kunju, honorary wildlife warden of Mumbai city, a resident sent the photograph to various groups. Another resident happened to follow the two men up to a slum area in Bandra. “He dialed 100 and called the police. The police found the turtle in a tub and released it back into the sea with the help of the resident,” said Mr. Kunju.
He said it was worrisome that the police did not register any official complaint. “I have written to the Bandra police asking them to register an FIR,” Mr. Kunju said.
Hawksbill sea turtles are an endangered species and protected under Schedule I (Part II) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Senior police inspector Girish Anavkar did not respond to calls from the The Hindu.