<p>Bengaluru: A consignment of 896 Indian star tortoises was seized by customs officials at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Tuesday.</p>.<p>The accused, who managed to flee, is currently on the run.</p>.<p>Identified as Abdul Mohammed Kasim from Tamil Nadu, he was flying to Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines (MH193). He had packed the tortoises in bed sheets and pillow covers, stuffing them inside two suitcases as part of his check-in baggage.</p>.Smuggling bid foiled as 30 Indian star tortoises, stuffed in baggage, rescued at Kempegowda International Airport .<p>Kasim entered the airport around 10 pm. When he sensed trouble around noon, he changed his clothes, misled officials by claiming he had entered Terminal 2 by mistake and escaped by booking a cab.</p>.<p>“The customs officials noticed movement in the baggage and became suspicious. As they began inspecting, the accused distracted them and fled,” said a source at the airport.</p>.<p>All 896 tortoises were found alive and will be released into a protected wildlife zone by the Forest Department.</p>.<p><strong>3rd case in 15 days </strong></p>.<p>This is the third wildlife smuggling case at KIA in the last 15 days. Officials said the airport has become a growing hub for trafficking animals such as tortoises, turtles, gibbons, and exotic birds.</p>.<p>“These are just the cases we have caught. Many others may be flying under the radar,” said a Forest Department official.</p>.<p>He stressed the need for stronger coordination among customs, airport authorities, and the Forest Department. “Better protocols are essential. Priority must be on wildlife protection,” he said.</p>.<p><strong>Forest officials meet</strong></p> <p>Officials from the Forest Department will meet the Joint Commissioner of Customs on Thursday to discuss tighter measures.</p>.<p>In a separate case, officials are also investigating the seizure of 30 Indian star tortoises at KIA on Sunday.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: A consignment of 896 Indian star tortoises was seized by customs officials at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Tuesday.</p>.<p>The accused, who managed to flee, is currently on the run.</p>.<p>Identified as Abdul Mohammed Kasim from Tamil Nadu, he was flying to Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines (MH193). He had packed the tortoises in bed sheets and pillow covers, stuffing them inside two suitcases as part of his check-in baggage.</p>.Smuggling bid foiled as 30 Indian star tortoises, stuffed in baggage, rescued at Kempegowda International Airport .<p>Kasim entered the airport around 10 pm. When he sensed trouble around noon, he changed his clothes, misled officials by claiming he had entered Terminal 2 by mistake and escaped by booking a cab.</p>.<p>“The customs officials noticed movement in the baggage and became suspicious. As they began inspecting, the accused distracted them and fled,” said a source at the airport.</p>.<p>All 896 tortoises were found alive and will be released into a protected wildlife zone by the Forest Department.</p>.<p><strong>3rd case in 15 days </strong></p>.<p>This is the third wildlife smuggling case at KIA in the last 15 days. Officials said the airport has become a growing hub for trafficking animals such as tortoises, turtles, gibbons, and exotic birds.</p>.<p>“These are just the cases we have caught. Many others may be flying under the radar,” said a Forest Department official.</p>.<p>He stressed the need for stronger coordination among customs, airport authorities, and the Forest Department. “Better protocols are essential. Priority must be on wildlife protection,” he said.</p>.<p><strong>Forest officials meet</strong></p> <p>Officials from the Forest Department will meet the Joint Commissioner of Customs on Thursday to discuss tighter measures.</p>.<p>In a separate case, officials are also investigating the seizure of 30 Indian star tortoises at KIA on Sunday.</p>