Canadian arrested in India for allegedly trying to take a crocodile skull with him during a flight

Customs officials said a Canadian man was arrested in New Delhi, India, after trying to bring a baby crocodile skull on board.

Delhi Customs reported X in the post that an unidentified Canadian passenger was intercepted during security screening at John Paul II International Airport. Indira Gandhi (IGI) on January 6. According to the Customs Department, the man was on a flight scheduled for Canada.

While checking the man’s belongings, IGI security discovered “a skull with sharp teeth, resembling the jaw of a small crocodile,” the Delhi Customs Service said. According to the social media post, the skull weighed about 777 grams, or about 1.7 pounds, and was wrapped in a cream-colored material.

USA TODAY reached out to IGI officials on Monday but has not received a response.

Pictured is the skull of a baby crocodile that was allegedly found on a Canadian boarding a flight from New Delhi, Indiana to Canada on January 6, 2025.

Pictured is the skull of a baby crocodile that was allegedly found in the possession of a Canadian boarding a flight from New Delhi, Indiana to Canada on January 6, 2025. — Pictured is the skull of a baby crocodile that was allegedly found on a Canadian boarding a flight from New Delhi, Indiana to Canada on January 6, 2025.

The skull was confirmed to be that of a small crocodile

The Department of Forests and Wildlife conducted a diagnostic test and determined the skull was that of a baby crocodile due to its “texture, tooth pattern, well-developed bony palate and nostrils,” the Customs Department said.

“The skull is a protected species under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.” – says the customs office in Delhi.

The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (WPA) is an Indian law that protects wildlife and its habitats from controlling poaching, smuggling and illegal trade. The The WPA does not explicitly name crocodilesbut includes a list of “amphibians and reptiles”.

The Indian Wildlife Institute in Dehradun is conducting further scientific analysis to confirm the exact species of the crocodile, Delhi Customs said.

The Canadian passenger allegedly violated the WPA

The Department of Customs said a Canadian passenger was arrested for allegedly violating the WPA by illegally possessing a baby crocodile skull and attempting to export it.

According to the mail of X customs office in Delhi, after the man’s arrest, the skull was handed over to the Forest and Wildlife Department for laboratory tests.

“This case highlights a serious breach of customs and wildlife regulations,” the Customs Department said. “Cooperation between customs and forest services is crucial to ensure that protected wildlife items are not smuggled.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Crocodile skull allegedly found on a Canadian at an airport in India