Canadian man arrested in India for allegedly trying to carry crocodile skull on flight
The around 1.7 pound skull was discovered wrapped in a cream-colored cloth.
A Canadian man was arrested in New Delhi, India after attempting to carry the skull of a baby crocodile aboard a flight, Customs officials said.
Delhi Customs said in an X post that the unidentified Canadian passenger was intercepted during a security check at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) on Jan. 6. According to the Customs Department, the man was going on a flight scheduled to depart for Canada.
While examining the man's belongings, IGI security discovered "a skull with sharp teeth, resembling the jaw of a baby crocodile," Delhi Customs said. The skull weighed about 777 grams, equating to around 1.7 pounds, and was wrapped in a cream-colored cloth, according to the social media post.
Paste BN contacted IGI officials on Monday but has not received a response.
Skull confirmed to belong to baby crocodile
The Department of Forests and Wildlife conducted a diagnostic test and determined that the skull was from a baby crocodile due to the "texture, tooth pattern, well-developed bony palate and nostrils," the Customs Department said.
"The skull belongs to a species protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972," according to Delhi Customs.
The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 (WPA) is an Indian law protecting the country's wildlife and their habitats from control poaching, smuggling and illegal trade. The WPA does not explicitly name crocodiles, but does list "Amphibians and Reptiles."
The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun is conducting further scientific analysis to confirm the exact species of crocodile, Delhi Customs said.
Canadian passenger allegedly violated the WPA
The Canadian passenger was arrested for allegedly violating the WPA by illegally possessing and attempting to export the baby crocodile skull, the Customs Department said.
After taking the man into custody, the skull was seized and given to the Department of Forests and Wildlife for lab testing, according to Delhi Customs' X post.
"This case highlights a serious violation of wildlife and customs laws," the Customs Department said. "Collaboration between Customs and Forest Departments is crucial to ensuring such protected wildlife items are not smuggled."