Protected species rescued from medical shop owner

Hyderabad: In a joint operation with the Forest Department officials, the Hyderabad Commissionerate's south zone task force sleuths on Saturday arrested Saleh Bin Mohammed Badam (55), a resident of Barkas in Chandrayangutta and rescued four slow loris animals, one Indian Star Tortoise and a softshell turtle from his possession.

According to police, Saleh Bin Mohammed Badam along with his brother Ali Bin Mohammed Badam (38), is running a medical shop in Chandrayangutta and entered into illegal trade of selling protected species to earn easy money.

As per their plan, Ali Bin Mohammed, who is absconding, started procuring threatened and endangered species from one of his friends for lower price and selling the same to the customers for a higher price.

The accused along with the rescued species were handed over to the Forest Department officials for further investigation. Indian Star Tortoise is found in dry areas and scrub forests in India.

Since most of the Indians believe that having Indian Star Tortoise at home brings fortune, the arrested involved in illegal trade of protected species.