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Time of India
17-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Silvered leaf monkey, cuscuses seized at Kolkata airport
1 2 3 4 5 6 Kolkata: In the third seizure of rare and exotic animals at Kolkata airport since this Feb, a silvery lutung or silvered leaf monkey — an old-world monkey native to Sumatra, Borneo and Java — and a pair of common spotted cuscuses — a nocturnal marsupial found in Australia, New Guinea and nearby islands — were seized by Customs Air Intelligence Unit early on Thursday. Later, teams from the West Bengal forest department and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) reached the spot for identification and handling of the animals. A 35-year-old woman from north Kolkata has been detained in this connection. Sources said the consignment came on an Indigo flight from Bangkok. "The animals were brought in baskets meant for carrying garments for babies. Hence, it was initially getting difficult to have a closer look at the animals for identification," said an official. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata On June 27, two cuscuses — that look like slow loris — were seized at Kolkata airport. This Feb, two critically endangered red-shanked doucs, found only in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos were seized by Customs officials at Kolkata airport. Silvery lutung, said sources, is an old-world monkey. It is arboreal, living in coastal, mangrove, and riverine forests in Sumatra, Borneo, Java, as well as in parts of the southwestern Malay Peninsula, the Natuna Islands, and other nearby islands. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Pieces of Clothing you should Ditch over 40 Learn More Undo The silvery lutung is classified as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List. Its habitat is heavily threatened throughout its range by logging and the development of oil palm plantations. It is also threatened by hunting for meat and by capture for the pet trade. Cuscuses are slow-moving animals often found foraging on leaves, plants, and sometimes even catching birds and lizards. They are known for their long fur and large eyes. During the seizure in June, it couldn't be identified if it was a Waigeou cuscus or a common spotted cuscus. The officials of animal husbandry and dairying, animal quarantine and certification services, had issued orders in June as well as in Feb so that the seized animals could be deported to their country of origin. An official from the dept on Thursday said a process was on to identify the species. "A decision on their deportation will follow accordingly," he said.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Time of India
Cuscus, tree-dwelling marsupial native to Australasia, seized at Kol airport
1 2 3 4 5 Kolkata: A little over four months after two critically endangered primates — red-shanked douc — were seized at Kolkata airport, two tree-dwelling, nocturnal marsupials, native to the Australasia region, were seized at the airport on Saturday morning. Although they looked like slow lorises, they were later identified as cuscuses, native to Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. The seizure comes only a couple of days after two persons were held at Mumbai airport while trying to smuggle 120 exotic animals, including a Waigeou cuscus. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata While sources said the seizure, the first for such a species in Kolkata, was conducted by Customs, the agency officials couldn't be reached for a comment. According to sources, a youth from Kamarhati, probably the carrier, was detained at the airport after his arrival from Bangkok on a Thai Airways flight. Jimlee Sarmah, joint commissioner of the ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying, animal quarantine and certification services, said that an order was issued so that they could be deported on the same flight to their country of origin. As per initial identification, they could either be Waigeou cuscus or a common spotted cuscus. The former is endemic to Waigeo Island of Indonesia. Due to their small range, they are considered 'threatened' on the IUCN Red List. On the other hand, the common spotted cuscus or white cuscus is found in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. They are slow-moving animals often found foraging on leaves, plants, and sometimes even catching birds and lizards. They are known for their long fur and large eyes.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Time of India
Tree-dwelling marsupials, native to Australasia, seized at Kol airport
1 2 3 4 Kolkata: A little over four months after two critically endangered primates — red-shanked douc — were seized at Kolkata airport, two tree-dwelling, nocturnal marsupials, native to the Australasia region, were seized at the airport on Saturday morning. Although they looked like slow lorises, they were later identified as cuscuses, native to Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. The seizure comes only a couple of days after two persons were held at Mumbai airport while trying to smuggle 120 exotic animals, including a Waigeou cuscus. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata While sources said the seizure, the first for such a species in Kolkata, was conducted by Customs, the agency officials couldn't be reached for a comment. According to sources, a youth from Kamarhati, probably the carrier, was detained at the airport after his arrival from Bangkok on a Thai Airways flight. Jimlee Sarmah, joint commissioner of the ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying, animal quarantine and certification services, said that an order was issued so that they could be deported on the same flight to their country of origin. As per initial identification, they could either be Waigeou cuscus or a common spotted cuscus. The former is endemic to Waigeo Island of Indonesia. Due to their small range, they are considered 'threatened' on the IUCN Red List. On the other hand, the common spotted cuscus or white cuscus is found in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. They are slow-moving animals often found foraging on leaves, plants, and sometimes even catching birds and lizards. They are known for their long fur and large eyes.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Time of India
Two flyers smuggle in exotic species from Bangkok, arrested at Mumbai airport
1 2 3 4 5 6 Mumbai: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai Customs on Wednesday intercepted two Indian men at Mumbai airport after they arrived from Bangkok with endangered wildlife species, including two Sumatran striped rabbits, one Waigeou spotted cuscus, three Brown basilisk lizards (one was dead), and 115 green iguanas, concealed in their baggage. Waigeou spotted cuscus and green iguana are listed under Appendix-II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, making their transport strictly regulated. The duo was arrested under relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai With the help of an NGO and the animal quarantine department, the rescued animals safely secured and deported to their country of origin after due legal process, AIU officials said Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify the broader network behind the animal trafficking. Mumbai: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai Customs on Wednesday intercepted two Indian men at Mumbai airport after they arrived from Bangkok with endangered wildlife species, including two Sumatran striped rabbits, one Waigeou spotted cuscus, three Brown basilisk lizards (one was dead), and 115 green iguanas, concealed in their baggage. Waigeou spotted cuscus and green iguana are listed under Appendix-II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, making their transport strictly regulated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Turn everyday drives into standout moments. Toyota Glanza Learn More Undo The duo was arrested under relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. With the help of an NGO and the animal quarantine department, the rescued animals safely secured and deported to their country of origin after due legal process, AIU officials said Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify the broader network behind the animal trafficking.
