An Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle was released back into the wild after it was rescued from smugglers.

The turtle was released into a river in Alipurduar, West Bengal, on April 20 by forest officials.

On April 17 a group of police officers managed to seize the turtle from smugglers.

This species of turtle has been listed as "endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

An Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle that was rescued from being smuggled in eastern India's West Bengal, has been successfully released into its natural habitat.

Forest official Parveen Kaswan told Newslions that the turtle was released on April 20 around 10:30 am.

The recent visuals showed officials carrying the turtle in a net. The turtle was taken to a waterbody and released.

Earlier on April 17, a group of policemen rescued the rare turtle from being smuggled.

The rescue had taken place in the Chaporer Par-ii area of Alipurduar district.

Visuals feature the turtle resting on the ground while curious onlookers stand surrounding it.

According to reports, the turtle was bought by an unidentified party for smuggling. However, after being rescued, the police handed it over to the Buxa Tiger Project officials.

The Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle was found on the roadside with its limbs tied. It weighed a little over 62 kilograms (136.687 lbs).