Seven endangered species of Egyptian vultures were seized from a smuggler in the Khandwa region of India's Madhya Pradesh state on Thursday.
These diminutive carrion eaters are listed as endangered and their numbers are quickly dwindling. They have been in demand in India among practitioners of black magic. It is estimated that one vulture can fetch up to $3,000 on the black market.
As the smuggler was taking the birds from Uttar Pradesh state to Maharashtra state via train, a fellow passenger smelled something off-putting and became suspicious, prompting him to inform the authorities.
After an investigation, the bird smuggler was arrested.
Police said the vultures have been handed over to the forest department and would be set free in some open place, pending the court's permission.