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Four Indian Giant Squirrels Rescued in Andhra Pradesh Wildlife Trafficking Raid

Indian giant squirrels confined in a cage during a 2026 wildlife trafficking operation in Andhra Pradesh
Conservation · Trade & poaching

India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence rescued four Indian giant squirrels (Ratufa indica) during an operation against illegal wildlife trafficking in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, on 24–25 June 2026.

DRI officers first intercepted a person in Srikakulam city and found four giant squirrels, one Indian star tortoise and fourteen junglefowl confined in cages. Follow-up investigations then led the team to Rayakurdi village, about 60 km away, where two small Indian civet babies were also rescued.

The DRI states that the Malabar giant squirrel, small Indian civet and Indian star tortoise are listed under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which gives them the highest level of legal protection and prohibits their hunting, possession, transport and trade. After seizure formalities were completed, the apprehended person and the rescued animals were handed over to the Forest Department in Srikakulam for further action.

According to the DRI, the wildlife recovered in the operation belongs to groups frequently targeted by illegal traffickers because of demand from the exotic-pet trade and wildlife collectors. The government release does not provide evidence about the animals’ original capture locations or intended final buyers.

Sources and image credit

  1. Press Information Bureau. (2026, June 26). DRI, Nagpur Regional Unit Busts Illegal Wildlife Trafficking Ring.Primary government release from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence operation in Srikakulam district on 24–25 June 2026. Four Malabar giant squirrels, one Indian star tortoise and fourteen junglefowl were recovered in Srikakulam city, followed by two small Indian civet babies at Rayakurdi village.

Image: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence / Press Information Bureau, Government of India — Indian giant squirrels confined in a cage during the Srikakulam wildlife trafficking operation, Andhra Pradesh, 24–25 June 2026. Image from source material associated with this story. · PIB material may be reproduced free of charge with source acknowledgement; no third-party credit is identified for this image · Source

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