A medical store owner was arrested on Sunday in a joint operation by the Hyderabad Task Force police and the Forest Department for allegedly illegally trading of endangered species. The accused has been identified as Saleh Bin Mahammed from Chandrayangutta.

Police rescued four slow lorises, an Indian star tortoise and a soft shell turtle. The animals are classified as endangered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Saleh's brother, Ali, was also allegedly involved in the crime, and is absconding.

According to police, both Saleh and Ali were running a medical store in Chandrayangutta. However, as their earnings had not been adequate to sustain their family, they got into the illegal trade. Police said that Ali started buying the animals from his friend and selling them to customers at a higher price.

The accused, along with the rescued animals, were handed over to the Forest Department for further investigation.

Slow lorises are nocturnal animals generally found in northeast states, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines. The animal is on the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Traditional medicines are prepared from its organs and other parts, police said in a press release.

According to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, trading and breeding of the slow loris is an offence.

Indian star tortoises are found in dry areas and scrub forests in India. Many believe that having a star tortoise at home brings good fortune. Soft shell turtles are exotic species found near rivers, such as the Ganges, Indus and Mahanadi.