During a security check at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on January 6, 2025, customs officers found a crocodile skull in a Canadian man’s luggage, leading to his detention. The 32-year-old was stopped at Terminal 3 as he was getting ready to board Air Canada aircraft AC 051 to Canada.
When customs officers examined it, they discovered a skull wrapped in a cream-colored linen and weighed about 777 kilograms. The skull looked like that of a young crocodile and had sharp teeth. The skull belonged to a species that was protected by India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, according to preliminary examinations carried out by the Department of Forests and Wildlife.
To identify the precise crocodile species, more research is required. According to reports, the man bought the skull while in Thailand, but he did not have the required permissions to transfer wildlife, which is against the Customs Act and the Wildlife Protection Act.
The crocodile skull was purportedly carried by the man since he had bought it in Thailand. Forest officer Rajesh Tandon admitted that he did not have the required authorization to carry wildlife items. He also asserted that he did not hunt or kill the crocodile that the skull came from.
At 5:00 PM, the traveler was taken into custody in accordance with Section 104 of the 1962 Customs Act. The confiscated skull has been sent over to the West Division of the Department of Forests and Wildlife for additional laboratory analysis. The precise species will be confirmed by further study conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun.
To ascertain the provenance of the skull and whether the person is a part of a wider wildlife trafficking network, authorities have filed a case and are currently conducting an investigation.
According to a Customs officer, “this case highlights the critical importance of collaboration between Customs and Wildlife Departments in combating illegal wildlife trade.” “Trafficking in protected species is against international and national conservation laws and endangers biodiversity.”
Authorities have stressed their commitment to making sure that anyone who try to exploit wildlife face the full force of the law, and the Canadian passenger is still in prison.
To ascertain the provenance of the skull and whether the person is a part of a wider wildlife trafficking network, authorities have filed a case and are currently conducting an investigation.
