TSE scribe hands over tortoise to PFA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 18 2014: Thoubal Correspondent of The Sangai Express, Kenedy Chakpram of Yairipok Kekru Mathak Leikai handed over a large Asian Brown Tortoise (also known as Asian Forest Tortoise) to the volunteers of PFA Thoubal today.

This is the largest Asian tortoise species, a PFA press release said and added that this tortoise is considered as endangered by IUCN and included in Appendix-II of CITES.

It is said that the scribe bought the tortoise which weighs around 10 kg at Rs 1500 from a labourer who works in Tamenglong.

The labour bought it from Tamenglong market for its meat.

This animal who loves moist forest areas with cool temperature eats leaves, grass, fruits and sometimes small animals, added the press release.

The tortoise got an injury on its back probably by a knife to make a hole for tying.

It would be released at a suitable site after it recovers from the injury, the press release added.

While one Yengkokpam Gobi Singh of Singjamei Thongam Leikai handed over a Malayan Box Turtle to PFA.

He found it near his house on a rainy day.

In another incident, Thoubal district police commandos posted at Kakching raided some paddy fields at Lousipat area and apprehended one poacher and collected four large bird nets yesterday.

Under the supervision of Additional SP (Ops) Dr Sh Ibomcha and OC Ch Ananda Kumar of CDO Thoubal, Havildar Ningombam Lolin Meitei's team raided the site yesterday at about 4 pm.

Five to six poachers were seen by the team but they could apprehend only one who has been identified as Khuleibam Muffizudin (32) s/o (L) Niamalik of Sora Ching Wangma.

The team surrounded the area and searched for the absconders but failed to catch more poachers.

Seeing the CDOs, the poachers fled the area.

The team also rescued two spotted doves from the arrested man, added the press release.

The rescued birds were handed over to PFA for necessary care by the CDOs yesterday.

The case was handed over to Forest Range Officer Kakching Munal by Kakching Police.

The case was produced before Kh Sanajaoba Singh, Divisional Forest officer Thoubal and compounded the accused a sum of Rs 5000 .

Two of the absconded poachers who were in company of Muffizudin have been identified as Pukhrimayum Anwar Khan (50) and Pukhrimayum Nawaz Khan (15) both of Sora Ching Maning according to the statement recorded by the police.

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