Common Name	Tiger
Scientific Name	Panthera tigris
Geographic habitat	Widely distributed across India.
Length	275-290cm (male), 260cm (female)
Weight	135-230 kg
Population	2226
Status	Endangered
Total percentage of Tigers in India	70

The tiger is a powerful icon of India’s cultural and natural heritage. The tiger is one of the largest and most skilful predators in the world. Tiger stripes are individually as unique as human fingerprints. Tiger is a solitary and territorial animal and the territory of an adult male may encompass territories of two to seven females. It is carnivorous and hunts for prey primarily by sight and sound. It feeds on deer, wild pig, bovid and sometimes even other predators like leopards and bears.

Morphology:

· Yellow brown body with black stripes which are not converse

· White colour on the maxillary cheeks

· Ocular Sun spot above eyes

· White spots on the front inner surface of ear lobe.

· Belly and inside portions of legs are white in colour

Natural habitat:

Dense forest throughout India.

Items in trade

Whole Skin, Claw, Bone, paws, Teeth, Trophy, Whisker

Conservation issues

Habitat and loss of prey species

Large-scale habitat destruction and decimation of prey populations are the major long-term threats to the survival of the tiger in the country. Tigers need large territories. And along with habitat, tigers have also suffered from a severe decline of natural prey populations – in particular ungulates such as deer and antelopes.

Hunting, poaching and illegal trade

For over a thousand years, tigers have been hunted as status symbol, decorative trophies such as wall and floor adornments, as souvenirs and curios, and for use in traditional Asian medicines. Hunting for sport probably caused the greatest decline in tiger populations till the 1930s. Poaching is the most significant immediate threat to the remaining tiger population.

Conflict with humans

As tigers continue to lose their habitat and prey, they are increasingly coming into conflict with humans as they attack domestic animals – and sometimes people. In retaliation, tigers are often killed by angry villagers.

Distribution

Most of the tigers are in the 50 Tiger Reserves declared by India. About one fourth of the tigers are outside of the Tiger Reserves in other Wildlife Sanctuaries and Reserved / Protected / Unclassed forests.

Distribution

Pangolin

Manis crassicaudata (Indian Pangolin) Manis pentadactyla (Chinese Pangolin)

Conservation status

WLP Act 1972: Schedule I

CITES: Appendix I

IUCN: Endangered

Facts:

Common Name	Pangolin
Scientific Name	M. crassicaudata & M. pentadactyla
Geographical Distribution	Indian Pangolin widely distributed across India and Chinese Pangolin is distributed in North East India
Length	60-70 cm & 45 -60 cm respectively
Status	Endangered

Pangolin also referred to as scaly anteater is a mammal of the order - Pholidota, family - Manidae, genus - Manis, which has eight species. Two of these species i.e. Indian Pangolin (M. crassicaudata) and Chinese Pangolin (M. pentadactyla) occur within Indian territory. Pangolins actually resemble armadillos in appearance, with small heads, long, broad tails and well-developed claws.

Morphology:

Manis crassicaudata (Indian Pangolin):

· Size: Head-Body length = 60-65 cm. & Tail = 45-50 cm.

· Scales are light brownish yellow or sandy grey; centres of scales darker then edges; scales along edge of tail are brownish; hair & unscaled skin brownish.

Manis pentadactyla (Chinese Pangolin):

· Size: Head-Body length=45-60 cm. & Tail =25-40 cm.

· Scales are Dark brown to Blackish brown in colour, hair & unscaled skin greyish white to brownish white

Pangolin Scales: Pangolin scales are harvested from the pangolin through a process that involves boiling and parching. The scale surface is corrugated forming a structure that is not smooth. Pangolin scale comes in direct contact with soil and rock. The abrasive behaviour is related to their chemical constitution. The scales are razor sharp, providing extra defence. Pangolin Scales have the functions of anti-adhesion and anti-wear against soil and rock.

Natural habitat: Indian Pangolin widely distributed across India and Chinese Pangolin is distributed in North East India

Threats: Poaching and habitat loss.

Items in trade :Live Pangolin, Scales and Meat.

Conservation issues

Hunting, poaching and illegal trade - Major threats to pangolins in India are hunting and poaching for local consumptive use and international trade. Another reason for hunting pangolin is its meat.

There is now greater evidence of its inclusion in illicit international trade, in particular its scales, from India through Myanmar to China and south East Asian countries as the most likely, final destinations.

Inadequate information on population and distribution further accentuates the threats arising from hunting and poaching.

Distribution

· Indian Pangolin occurs sporadically throughout the plains and lower slopes of hills from south of the Himalaya to Kanyakumari, excepting the north-eastern region.

· Chinese Pangolin is found in India in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and northern part of West Bengal.

Indian Star Tortoise

Geochelone elegans (Indian Star Tortoise)

Conservation status

WLP Act 1972: Schedule IV

CITES: Appendix II

IUCN: Vulnerable

Facts

Common Name	Indian Star Tortoise
Scientific Name	Geochelone elegans
Geographic habitat	Southern parts of India, Rajasthan, MP
Status	Vulnerable

Morphology:

· Carapace dome shaped, and covered with horny epidermal shields marked by radial lines with a light colored centre and showing distinct growth rings. Marginal shields of carapace connected to plastron by a broad bridge.

· Nuchal plate without well-developed costiform process.

· Digits short and unwebbed, with not more than two phalanges.

· Hind feet are club shaped. Head shielded above.

Natural Habitat:

Terrestrial, deciduous forest and dry grass lands

Items in trade:

There is a high demand for the star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) in the pet trade in domestic and international market. Star tortoises are extremely popular as pets in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Western Countries, North America and Far East. Live tortoises are carried on the person or in baggage, with fruits / vegetables / fish are misdeclared as fish / crabs / souvenirs, etc.

Distribution:

Southern and Western parts of India.

Distribution

Tokey Gecko

Gekko gecko (Tokay Geckos)

Conservation status

WLP Act 1972: Schedule IV

CITES: Appendix II

Facts

Common Name	Tokay Geckos
Scientific Name	Gekko gecko
Geographic habitat	Eastern parts of India.
Status	Least Concern

Gecko gecko, commonly known as "Tokay Gecko" is a nocturnal arboreal lizard, widely distributed across Eastern & North Eastern India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, throughout Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Indonesia, and to western New Guinea in Melanesia. In the recent past a make belief demand of this lizard for its so-called medicinal value has made it a highly sought for lizard in the eastern parts of India and its adjacent countries. The species, still not listed under CITES started featuring in the illegal wildlife trade in the past few years. It is covered under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and is prohibited under the Indian Export Policy. Tokay geckos have no scientifically established medicinal value and the illegal trade flourishes completely on rumours and misconceptions.

Morphology:

· Adults reach 10” to 15” in size and sport a brown to bluish green coat spotted with chocolate / red and white spots. Protruding eyes with frontal strong ridge, tail compressed and keeled

· Convex and short snout.

Natural Habitat:

Dense Rain forest of North East India and human inhabitants.

Items in trade:

Live specimens for smuggling into international market. Consumed for medicinal purposes in China and East Asian countries.

Distribution:

Eastern part of India, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Items in trade

Live specimens for pet trade in domestic and international market. Tokay Gecko are used for medicinal purpose in China.

Spread of Tigers in India

Eastern parts of India, Assam, Manipur

Distribution

WILDLIFE CRIME CONTROL BUREAU

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is a statutory multi - disciplinary body established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to combat organized wildlife crime in the country. The Bureau has its headquarter in New Delhi and five regional offices at Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Jabalpur; three sub-regional offices at Guwahati, Amritsar and Cochin; and five border units at Ramanathapuram, Gorakhpur, Motihari, Nathula and Moreh.

What do we do

As mandated under Section 38 (Z) of the WildLife (Protection) Act, 1972, We collect collate and analyse intelligence related to wildlife crime and illegal wildlife trade in the country. ·
We disseminate intelligence to the concerned state enforcement agencies for timely and result oriented action.
We have developed a wildlife crime database management system with connectivity with the state enforcement agencies for uploading of crime data. This help in record generation as well as wildlife crime analysis to take preventive / punitive measures.
We help co-ordinate the efforts and actions of various state and central enforcement agencies towards better enforcement of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
We help develop infrastructure and capacity building of the enforcement officials to tackle wildlife crime and illegal trade and to equip them with latest know how of trends, technology and methods to counter and bust organized wildlife crime networks.
We take steps to advise the Government of India to implement obligations under various international conventions and protocols in force and to assist the efforts of various international law enforcement agencies towards enforcement of legal provisions.
We advice Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications and suggest changes in relevant policy related to wildlife crimes.
We assist and advise the Customs authorities in inspection of the consignments of flora & fauna as per the provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, CITES and EXIM Policy governing such an item.

What is wildlife crime?

Wildlife crime is contravening any domestic or international law concerning wildlife.
“Wildlife” includes any animal, aquatic land vegetation which forms part of any habitat.
The illegal trade in wildlife goes hand-in -hand with narcotics and arms trade as the offenders are only interested in making big money quickly, thereby making it one of the largest illegal occupations in the world.
India, as home to some of the most charismatic animals in the world is now a major source country for this trade.
Most of the demand for wildlife products comes from outside the country

What is CITES?

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments.
Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
It regulates international trade in endangered species between member Countries.
Came into force in 1973 with presently 181 member countries.
Largest international conservation treaty.
India is a member of the CITES since 1976.

Illegal Wildlife Trade

The illegal Wildlife trade recorded in India is mainly of:-

Tiger, Leopard & other Big Cats

Skin, meat, bone, claw, fat and other body parts are in illegal trade.