Parlakhemundi: A tortoise smuggling bid was foiled by the forest department officials in Odisha’s Gajapati district on Monday.
The forest officials have rescued at least 20 live tortoises during a raid in the district.
As per reports, local people intercepted a person riding a motorbike carrying a bag with the aquatic animals. They found at least 20 live tortoises on searching the person who came out of the Gajapati district Fishery office.
On being alerted by the locals, the forest officials reached the spot and recovered the tortoises. However, the smuggler carrying the animals managed to escape from the spot.
The forest department has started a probe in the matter.