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TIMES OF INDIA (New Delhi) 09 July 07 Rly police stumble upon tortoise trade
Bangalore: Shivajinagar's link to the international animal trade was established yet again with the seizure of 681 star tortoises on Saturday evening at Yeshwantpur railway station.
The tortoises were packed in gunny bags and kept in seven cardboard boxes labelled 'live tropical fish' and fish food bound for Howrah in West Bengal, by the Bangalore-Howrah Express. On Saturday evening, railway police heard some noise from the boxes. When they opened it, they discovered the tortoises. The police have arrested Saleem, who worked at a pet shop in Russell Market, in this connection.
Star tortoise (geochelone elegans), also known as starred tortoise, has a religious significance in north India. Many people worship it as 'Koorma avatara', the 'vaahana' of Lord Vishnu. Abroad, it has great value as a pet.
Railway SP K H Srinivasan said: "The mobile number mentioned on the parcel bill helped us nab Saleem. We are interrogating him for more details and investigating the source of these animals and the gang's connections outside Bangalore."
The Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) will be the temporary home for the rescued star tortoises until the court decides their fate.
Last month, 300 star tortoises were released into the wild after a court granted permission for their release. These had been rescued last year by customs officials at the Bangalore Airport.
On the latest catch, BBP assistant veterinary officer Dr G K Vishwanath said: "The tortoises are suffering from dehydration. We will keep them in lukewarm water to rehydrate them." The new tortoises will be an addition to the existing 200-plus star tortoises kept already at the park. With an animal count of over 1,400 at the BBP, space is the only constraint for these new guests.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Rly_police_stumble_upon_tortoise_trade/rssarticleshow/2187154.cms

NEW IND PRESS (Chennai, India) 10 July 07 Star tortoises bring luck? No, say experts
Bangalore: What’s getting the star tortoise into trouble? Seems like its people’s greed for good luck. With most of the demand for the tiny animals stemming from superstition, people are apparently rushing to buy them without knowing what they really mean.
Going by the Chinese Feng Shui, the tortoise (Geochelon elegans) symbolises the northern direction, because of its shell - the north is symbolised by a mountain, which means protection.
Apparently, it is usually considered that it would augur well if the northern part of a plot of land is raised. Feng Shui expert SBS Surendran told this website's newspaper that the tortoise stands for longevity and good health.
‘‘They are also symbols of protection, due to their shell. In Chinese countries, people reared them decades ago scientifically, for they worshipped them. Fifteen kilometres away from Singapore, in Kusu Island, the Taoist community wors hiped them. The concept behind this is linked to land reforms, where people can acquire a good piece of land or construct property and harmonise. But these are superstitious beliefs. It does not mean that people should rear tortoises in their house or keep them in captivity,’’ he said.
The animals also do not bring good luck, as people assume. The shape and size of the immediate surroundings have an effect on people, not animals.
‘‘Anything which moves fast, or does not fight, or create bad energy, or looks pleasant, is believed to bring luck. But not a tortoise,’’ Surendran asserted.
Chinese belief has it that each of the four directions are symbolized by an animal. The north with the tortoise, the east with dragon, west with tiger and south with phoenix.
‘‘It does not mean people keep all these animals in their house as they will bring good fortune. Each animal symbolises a particular element and the way the house should be constructed or decorated. The low cost books available in markets are misguiding people, compelling them to indulge in harmful malpractice,’’ he said.
Vaastu and Feng Shui has a cause and effect with the immediate environment. Such illegal activities have been taking place since years and people believe them without scientific analysis, thereby giving Feng Shui a bad name, he said.
Star tortoises bring luck? No, say experts