Canadian man arrested for carrying crocodile skull at Delhi airport

Officials said keeping the crocodile skull violated India’s wildlife protection law and the Customs Act.

Analysis of the skull by the Department of Forests and Wildlife has determined that it belongs to a species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of India.

“The texture, tooth pattern, well-developed bony palate and nostrils confirmed the object as a baby crocodile skull,” they said.

This was reported by a forest worker Times of India newspaper, external the man allegedly bought the skull from Thailand.

“The man did not have the mandatory permit required to carry wildlife items,” forest officer Rajesh Tandon said.

Man too told officers he did not hunt or kill the alligator, externalThis was reported by Hindustan Times.

Further tests are carried out to determine the exact subspecies of the animal.

Meanwhile, Delhi Customs says that a case has been registered against the person and an investigation is underway.

Last year, a 32-year-old Canadian woman was detained at the Delhi airport after the horns of an unknown animal were found in her luggage. The woman told officials that she picked them up while hiking in the northern Ladakh region and decided to take them back as souvenirs.