Wildlife authorities in Bangladesh recovered a large number of turtles during an airport operation, with the seized animals set to be returned to their natural habitat.
Authorities in Bangladesh have detained a man with 1,163 turtles at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, following a joint operation by wildlife and law enforcement agencies.
The turtles were seized on Sunday (September 27) from Mohammad Shahidul Islam, 57, during an operation based on confidential information by the Wildlife Crime Control Unit under the Forest Department and other law enforcement agencies.
According to the Wildlife Crime Control Unit, the operation was conducted with assistance from the Forest Department’s Agargaon office, the Airport Security Manager of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, airport police, the Department of Livestock Services, an executive magistrate and relevant law enforcement agencies.
The authorities recovered 1,163 turtles, locally known as “kori kaitta”, from Shahidul Islam, who is a resident of Hosanabad, Mahmudnagar area of Tangail district.
Officials said Shahidul Islam was detained while travelling to Malaysia on Batik Air flight OD161 from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with the turtles.
A case has been filed against him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Police Station for alleged violation of the Wildlife Conservation and Security Act, 2026.
The Wildlife Crime Control Unit said the seized turtles will later be released into their natural habitat.
