Cuttack: In a major breakthrough, forest officials on Wednesday seized 12 endangered softshell tortoises from Kathajodi river mouth at 42 Mouja area here.
According to sources, the forest officials seized the endangered tortoises while they were being sent to Kolkata.
However, the accused who was shipping the tortoises, is absconding.
The value of each softshell tortoise is Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000, the sources said.
The rescued tortoises have been handed over to Forest department and will be later sent to Nandankanan Zoological park, a forest official said.