September 07, 2007	Friday	Sha'aban 24, 1428

GUWAHATI, Sept 6: Police in northeastern India have recovered several bags full of thousands of protected frogs, with officials saying they were destined for French plates.

A police patrol spotted 14 bags containing the bullfrogs by a highway near the Kaziranga National Park in Assam state, likely abandoned by smugglers who had been tipped off over police checks.

“This is a huge seizure and the consignment in all likelihood was destined for France via Bangladesh where it is considered a delicacy much in demand,”Ashok Kumar, vice chairman of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), said on Thursday.

The official said frogs were being killed in Bangladesh and their legs removed and frozen before being smuggled to France.

“Once frozen it could attract good money,” Kumar said. “It appears there is an organised catching of bullfrogs in Assam.” Frogs’ legs are one of France’s best known delicacies, but the catching and rearing of the amphibians was banned in the country in 1980 due to dwindling numbers.

According to 2005 figures, France legally imports around 3,000 to 4,000 tonnes of frozen frogs’ legs, mainly from Indonesia and China. In France, the dish is now mainly found in the top restaurants.—AFP