Canadian Man Arrested After Smuggling Crocodile Skull at Delhi Airport

A 32-year-old Canadian man was apprehended at Delhi airport carrying a crocodile skull, leading to his arrest under India's wildlife protection laws. The discovery highlights ongoing issues of wildlife trafficking in the region.

Authorities at Delhi airport detained a 32-year-old Canadian citizen for attempting to transport a crocodile skull in his luggage, further illuminating the challenges of wildlife trafficking. The incident occurred during a routine security check while the man was preparing for his flight back to Canada.

Delhi Customs officials revealed that the skull, wrapped in a cream-colored cloth and weighing around 777 grams (1.71 pounds), was identified as that of a baby crocodile. Subsequent analysis by the Department of Forests and Wildlife confirmed the skull belonged to a species protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act, a law aimed at conserving endangered wildlife.

According to a statement from customs officials, the individual's possession of the skull violated both the wildlife protection laws and the Customs Act. Forest officer Rajesh Tandon mentioned that the Canadian referred to purchasing the skull during a trip to Thailand, without possessing any necessary permissions to transport wildlife specimens.

During questioning, the man expressed that he had not engaged in hunting or killing the crocodile. However, the authorities are conducting further assessments to determine the exact subspecies of the creature. A legal case has been initiated against him, and investigations are ongoing.

This situation echoes a similar case from the previous year where a Canadian woman was caught at the same airport with animal horns she claimed to have collected during a trek in the Ladakh region, prompting broader discussions regarding wildlife smuggling and the enforcement of protective measures in India and beyond.