5 Most Heavily Trafficked Animals of India

The illegal trade of endangered wildlife of India has been on a sharp rise. After the trafficking of Rhino horns, Tiger and Leopard skins and elephant tusks, poacher has been started illegal trade of endangered species such as Indian Pangolin,Tokay Gecko, Tokay Gecko, mongoose, Hill Mynah,barn own and Forest owls.

Amur Falcons and Great hornbills were also hunted in Nagaland along with different species of Owl, Great Indian Bustard, Indian peafowl and Indian Spiny Tailed Lizard.

Indian Pangolin

Indian Pangolin (Manis Crassicaudata) or Thick tailed Pangolin is the most hunted animal in India and world’s most trafficked wild mammal. The highly endangered Indian Pangolin is about to become extinct, Almost a 100,000 Pangolins are captured every year in India for illegal trade.

Indian Star Tortoises

Indian Star Tortoise is a rare and exotic tortoises species, found in the dry and arid forests of India. This species is very popular in the exotic pet trade in India and also found in all private homes across Asia.

Tokay Gecko

Tokay Gecko is a nocturnal arboreal gecko occurs in the rainforest of northeast India. The Tokay gecko is a symbol of good luck and fertility in many East Asian countries and poached for the medicinal trades in parts of Asia.

Red Sand Boa

Red Sand Boa (Eryx Johnii) commonly known as two headed snake is one of the nonvenomous boa species, endemic to Indian subcontinent. The snake mostly found in semi-desert and dry foothills of Rajasthan and fetch huge amount of money in the illegal wildlife trade business in India due to blind faith that it brings good luck to owner.

Bengal Monitor Lizard

Bengal Monitor Lizards (Varanus Bengalensis) are extremely large reptiles, distributed over the Indian Subcontinent but the species is also rapidly vanishing because of poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Indian Monitor Lizard along with spiny tailed lizards are used for meat,belly skin,leather and oil.