Indian businessman jailed for importing turtles

An Indian businessman was jailed here today for 16 months on charges of animal cruelty and importing 190 endangered black pond turtles from Bangladesh.
Jaiswal Arun Harish Chandra, 42, admitted to having the endangered species without valid permits while on transit at the Changi Airport on January 7.
The garment businessman also pleaded guilty to allowing the turtles to be confined in a manner that subjected them to unnecessary pain or suffering.
The Surabaya-bound turtles were found crammed in three luggage bags without any provision for food or water.
Over the next five days, 47 of these turtles died.
The rest were put to sleep for welfare reasons, reported The Straits Times today.