A significant wildlife rescue operation was conducted by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) on the Doon Express, resulting in the recovery of 78 live turtles. Under the initiative ‘Operation WILEP’, RPF personnel intercepted the Yog Nagari Rishikesh-Howrah train (13010) early Friday and searched the women’s coach. The rescued turtles, identified as Indian flapshell species, have an estimated market value of 7.8 lakh rupees.
The operation was initiated following a tip-off about a large-scale wildlife smuggling racket operating on the train. The RPF team, acting on precise information, apprehended the train at Dhanbad station. A search of the women’s coach revealed six unattended bags hidden beneath a seat.
After questioning nearby passengers yielded no claims of ownership, the RPF team opened the bags. They were astonished to find 78 live turtles packed inside. The RPF promptly secured the animals and initiated a case under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The Forest Department was alerted and took charge of the rescued turtles, handing them over to the local forest officials. Efforts are underway to trace the perpetrators of this wildlife crime.