In brief
The man, 32, faces legal action after violating wildlife protection laws in India as authorities investigate the origins and intended transport of the skull.
An unusual discovery at Delhi airport led to the arrest of a 32-year-old Canadian man for attempting to smuggle a crocodile skull in his luggage while heading back to Canada. During a routine security check on Monday, customs officials uncovered the skull wrapped in a cream-colored cloth. Weighing about 777 grams (1.71 pounds), the bone structure confirmed it as the skull of a baby crocodile. Delhi customs shared that the skull's distinct features, including its sharp teeth and bony palate, confirmed it belonged to a species protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act. As this violated both the wildlife protection law and India's Customs Act, officials swiftly took legal action against the individual. The suspect allegedly acquired the skull while on a trip to Thailand and lacked the necessary permits required for transporting wildlife items. He insists that he neither hunted nor killed the crocodile. Further tests are underway to determine the precise sub-species of the skull.This incident follows a similar case last year, where another Canadian woman was detained for carrying animal horns she claimed to have found during a trek. Such cases highlight ongoing concerns regarding wildlife trafficking and international wildlife regulations at airports in India. The custom authorities have initiated an investigation into this incident while working with the Department of Forests and Wildlife for proper management of the seized item.
