Five baby crocodiles seized at Mumbai airport; 2 held

The customs officials at the Mumbai airport on Sunday intercepted two passengers who were later arrested for allegedly smuggling at least five baby caiman crocodiles caiman crocodilusAccording to officials the passenger had arrived from Bangkok The incident took place on Friday September 27 These crocodiles were concealed inside a rectangular box which had been placed in a trolley bagThe arrested individuals have been identified as Mohammed Rehman Madni 41 and Hamaz Mansuri 30 Both are residents of KurlaFollowing their arrest the duo were brought to the court which granted them judicial custody for further investigationOfficials said they have informed the regional deputy director for wildlife crime control bureau western region Navi MumbaiAfter rescuing the reptiles were handed over to the RAWW Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare an NGO specialising in wildlife rescue and rehabilitationThe organisation took immediate steps to stabilise the juvenile crocodiles ensuring they were hydrated fed and kept in appropriate conditions while their health was monitored said another customs officialIn coordination with concerned authorities RAWW worked to ensure the reptiles would be safely deported back to their country of originThe increasing popularity of exotic pets like the caiman crocodile raises concerns about the impact of illegal wildlife trade Smuggling these protected species not only threatens their survival in the wild but also endangers ecosystems and poses a health risk to local wildlife populations said a customs officialAnother customs official said that the case remains under investigation as they work to uncover the broader network involved in the smuggling operationThese caiman crocodiles often referred to as mini crocodiles are becoming popular among exotic pet enthusiasts Their small stature makes them an attractive option for those looking for unusual and exotic pets However owning or trafficking these reptiles is illegal in many countries including India due to their protected status under wildlife laws a wildlife expert saidThe appeal of these reptiles lies in their manageable size compared to larger crocodile species Caiman crocodiles can grow to about 46 feet making them a soughtafter option for individuals seeking a wild pet experience without the challenges that come with bigger crocodiles This illegal demand however is fueling the black market trade that poses significant risks to both the animals and local ecosystemsrdquo added the expertThese species are kept as exotic pets These were added as schedule IV species along with ball python and others to the wildlife protection act in the recent amendment in 2023 said Santosh Shinde from SARRP foundationCaiman crocodiles are usually smuggled for their skin Leather products made from their skin have high valuerdquo he added