The Mizoram Police have rescued nearly 140 exotic animals and birds from Champhai District, suspected to be smuggled from Myanmar.

Acting on specific inputs, the joint team of Champhai Excise & Narcotics Department and Champhai Police launched an operation today morning along the region.

During the operation, the security forces have seized three vehicles (2 Bolero & 1 Scorpio), driven by Lalremruata (38); Tinkhuma (38); and E.Lalmuanpuia (29) hailing from Champhai District.

These smuggling ‘exotic’ species included – Tortoise (30 nos); Monkey (2 nos); Marmoset monkey (2 nos); Python (22 nos); Sumatran Water Monitor (18 nos); Crocodile-Hatchlings (55 nos); Flame powerbird (4 nos); Servel cat (4 nos); Marmoset (2 nos); Albino wallaby (1 nos).

Meanwhile, these ‘exotic’ animals and birds along with the vehicles were handed-over to the Superintendent of the Champhai Custom Preventive Force for further legal action.

Taking to Twitter, the official account of Mizoram Police wrote “We are committed to protect wildlife at all costs. Kudos to Team #Champhai for another huge success in seizure and rescue of exotic wildlife species. Acting jointly with Champhai Excise & Narcotics Department, early this morning, #ChamphaiPolice seized and rescued 140 exotic”

We are committed to protect wildlife at all costs. Kudos to Team #Champhai for another huge success in seizure and rescue of exotic wildlife species. Acting jointly with Champhai Excise & Narcotics Department, early this morning, #ChamphaiPolice seized and rescued 140 exotic pic.twitter.com/KUHuXKW5VJ

— mizorampolice (@mizorampolice) October 15, 2022