New Delhi, Oct 2 (IANS): The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has rescued 955 live baby turtles of different species, an official said on Sunday, adding six persons have been arrested in this connection.

The accused individuals were apprehended under 'Operation Kachchhap'.

A senior DRI official said they received information about a syndicate involved in illegal trafficking and trading of "Turtles of Ganges", some of which were specified as vulnerable and near threatened species under IUCN Red List and Schedule I and II of Wildlife (Protection) Act.

The DRI said that illegal trade and habitat degradation are major threats to these species.

"Concerted all-India efforts by the officers resulted in interception of a total of six persons and a total recovery of 955 live baby turtles of different species at Nagpur, Bhopal and Chennai on September 30. The species of Gangetic turtles rescued are Indian Tent Turtle, Indian Flapshell Turtle, Crown River Turtle, Black spotted/Pond Turtle and Brown Roofed Turtle," the official said.

The official said that after the initial seizure under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the perpetrators and Gangetic turtles were handed over to the respective Forest Departments for further investigation.

The operation comes in a series of other such crackdowns over the past months, as DRI continues its resolve to preserve the environment and combat illegal wildlife trafficking.

Some of the species rescued are specified as vulnerable/near threatened species under IUCN Red List and Schedule I and II of Wildlife (Protection) Act.

Illegal trade, over exploitation for meat and habitat degradation are major threats to the survival of these species.