The accused identified as Kuldeep Kumar was held at a bus depot yesterday based on a tip-off. Thirty-five turtles of rare species were seized from his possession, state forest department official Sushant Patnaik said.
A case has been registered against him under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Kumar, however claimed that he had captured the turtles from a pond at his village and had come to the city to sell them at various aquarium shops here.
Among the 35, two are spotted turtles while rest are Indian tent turtles, Patnaik said, adding, both the species belong to Schedule-I category under the Act.