Bhubaneswar, March 12 -- The Motu Forest Department in Odisha's Malkangiri district rescued 631 live turtles during a crackdown on alleged wildlife trafficking along the Odisha-Andhra border on Thursday. Seven persons were arrested in connection with the incident.

According to officials, the rescue operation was carried out at the Motu border after the forest department received information about illegal trading of turtles. Two traders from Andhra Pradesh were allegedly selling the turtles to five other traders when forest officials intervened and conducted a raid.

During the operation, the forest department rescued 631 turtles and arrested all seven persons involved in the alleged smuggling attempt. Officials also seized one four-wheel...