03. Feb 2006
Wildlife trader held
A Nepal-based international trader in illegal wildlife products, whose name is given by different sources as Tsering Nyima or Tamding, was arrested in Majnukatila in north Delhi. He is believed to be an important player in the smuggling of wildlife products to Tibet. A haul of 34 recently tanned leopard skins and four otter skins were seized during a raid conducted by a special team attached to the Rajasthan Police. A manhunt has been launched to apprehend two of his accomplices who escaped and are believed to be hiding in the area. They are allegedly in possession of more banned wildlife products, including tiger skins. The police is said to have trailed Tsering Nyima/Tamding for the past few months in cooperation with the Wildlife Trust of India (WPI). The accused frequently visited Delhi and stayed in Majnukatila. According to police, the seized skins arrived in Delhi by goods parcel. They were well tanned, though still fresh, and folded neatly. The leopard skins bore marks resembling a signature with a mixture of Tibetan and Chinese characters. The consignment was en route to Siliguri in West Bengal, to be then dispatched to the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) through Nepal.