Four hundred turtles and tortoises were seized and later returned to their natural habitat, in the Juruá River (674 kilometers from Manaus), during Operation Chelônio carried out by the Amazonas Civil Police (PC-AM), with the support of the Amazonas Military Police (PMAM) and environmental agencies.
Among the rescued species are turtles, tortoises, tracajá, catolé and iaçá.
According to delegate Rafael Bruno, from the 70th DIP, the operation was initiated after receiving reports of the illegal practice. The teams went to eight riverside communities to investigate and confirmed the crime.
“Despite the difficulties in accessing the river and the forest, we were able to locate several pens with the animals. Many pens contained an average of 20 turtles, weighing more than 50 kilos each,” explained the delegate.
According to the police authority, it was found at the site that many animals were weak and some had already died before being returned to the river.
No people were found at the site, only the animals. According to the police, the communities, aware of the illegality, relied on informants who warned them about the arrival of the police teams, causing the offenders to flee.
Criminal proceedings have already been initiated and the investigation continues to identify those responsible. The entire process will be forwarded to the courts, aiming not only at criminal liability, but also at the application of environmental fines that can reach 20 minimum wages per animal.
The only way to legally own a wild animal is to purchase the animal from a breeding facility or commercial establishment authorized by Ibama, or by the state/district agency.
Source: CNN Brasil
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