Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Saturday rescued as many as 351 Indian Tent Turtles near Manguli Toll Plaza in Odisha's Cuttack district as the agency foiled a wildlife trafficking bid.

Acting on specific intelligence, officers of the DRI carried out surveillance near the toll plaza. They identified a 'Tata Tiago' vehicle with three passengers, travelling from West Bengal.

On questioning the occupants of the vehicle, it came to fore that they were carrying 351 Indian Tent Turtles from West Bengal to Karnataka.

The Indian Tent Turtle is listed in Schedule–I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and is thereby provided the highest degree of protection.

The turtles were immediately handed over to the Odisha State Forest officials.

The three persons along with their vehicle were detained and handed over for further investigation under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.