PTC News Desk: The trafficking of exotic wildlife species poses a serious threat, necessitating increased international cooperation and intelligence sharing among law enforcement agencies, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Praveen Sood said on Thursday.

Sood was addressing at the start of an international meeting on the subject, co-hosted by the CBI and Interpol. 

The regional investigative and analytical case meeting on exotic species trafficking, held at the CBI headquarters, is attended by domain specialists from India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

According to those familiar with the situation, the primary goal of the discussion would be to understand the methods and routes used for trafficking live exotic animals and birds in the region, among other things. 

 According to officials, experts attending the meeting will not only identify information gaps, but also investigate the possibility of exchanging criminal information, identifying international networks, and deliberating on prioritising targets involved in trafficking activities.

In his inaugural address, Sood emphasised that each participating country has a diverse biodiversity, including rare and endangered species that are targeted by international poaching and smuggling networks. 

He reiterated India’s commitment to exotic species conservation and protection, emphasising the multifaceted strategy that combines legal frameworks, strong enforcement mechanisms, international cooperation, and community involvement.

He stated that the trafficking of exotic wildlife species poses a serious threat and needs increased international cooperation and intelligence sharing among law enforcement organisations.