50kg tortoise meat meant for Chinese nationals seized in Khanewal

Two poachers taken into custody by wildlife dept; official says gang involved in tortoise meat trade for past 6 months

MULTAN: Two poachers were taken into custody on Monday for illegally selling tortoise meat to Chinese nationals in an impoverished southern district of Punjab district.

“The poachers were arrested while shooting tortoises in the Saraya Sidhoo area of Kanewal district,” Muhammad Hussain Gashgori, director provincial Wildlife Department told reporters on Monday.

They were in possession of around 50 kilogrammes of tortoise meat which was also seized.

Currently, the two poachers are in custody of the Wildlife Department and will be presented before a judge.



Gashgori claimed that the two men were part of a gang which has been involved in the tortoise meat trade for the past six months.



PHOTO: Express

Its members hunt tortoises in Shujabad near the Chopar Hatta canal in Khanewal and other areas of Punjab.

Gashgori said the meat was being supplied to Chinese restaurants.

“Tortoise hunting and sale of its meat has been banned by the Punjab government,” he added. “Strict action would be taken against anyone found involved in this illegal trade.”

Wildlife Department officials have mounted a manhunt for other members of the gang.

A good source of protein, soft-shelled turtle is high in calcium and is respected as an emblem of longevity. The Chinese believe tortoise meat has aphrodisiac qualities.