The 32-year-old was set to fly to Canada when customs officials uncovered the prohibited item during a routine luggage check, shedding light on wildlife trafficking issues.
Crocodile Skull Smuggling: Canadian Man Arrested at Delhi Airport
Crocodile Skull Smuggling: Canadian Man Arrested at Delhi Airport
A Canadian national was detained for illegally carrying a crocodile skull at Delhi airport, violating wildlife protection laws.
In a surprising turn of events, a Canadian man found himself in legal trouble at Delhi airport after attempting to board a flight to Canada with the skull of a baby crocodile in his luggage. The incident occurred on Monday during a routine security check when officials discovered the unusual item wrapped in cream-colored cloth. Weighing approximately 777 grams (or 1.71 pounds), the skull—complete with sharp teeth—raised immediate alarm among customs agents.
Delhi customs released details of the arrest in a statement on Thursday, confirming that the skull's analysis conducted by the local wildlife department verified its status as belonging to a protected species under India's Wildlife Protection Act. "The texture, tooth pattern, well-developed bony palate, and nostrils confirmed the item as the skull of a baby crocodile," officials stated.
Rajesh Tandon, a forest officer, revealed that the 32-year-old had allegedly purchased the skull during a trip to Thailand and failed to secure the required permissions for transporting wildlife items. He claimed he did not hunt or harm the crocodile himself, which left officials probing further into the nuances of his acquisition.
The skull has now been transferred to the Department of Forests and Wildlife for ongoing examination, so as to confirm the exact sub-species it belongs to. Meanwhile, customs authorities have registered a case against the man, indicating that legal proceedings are underway.
This isn't the first instance of wildlife smuggling at the Delhi airport. Previously, a Canadian woman was detained for carrying animal horns believed to be trophies from a trek in the Himalayas.
These incidents underline the persistent challenge of wildlife trafficking, prompting urgent calls for stricter compliance with conservation laws both in India and globally.
