¹[49Q.  Species and scheduled specimens to be Government property.-- (1)  Every species or scheduled specimen, in respect of which any offence against this Act or rules made thereunder has been committed, shall become the property of the Central Government and the provisions of section 39 shall, without prejudice to the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), apply, mutatis mutandis, in relation to species and scheduled specimens as they apply in relation to wild animals, captive animals and animal articles.

   (2)  Where a living specimen of a species listed in Schedule IV has been seized under this Act or the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) or any other law for the time being in force as a result of import into India in contravention of this Act, the Management Authority shall, after consultation with the country of export, return the specimen to that country at the expense of that country, or ensure that it is housed and cared for by a recognised zoo or rescue centre in case it cannot be returned to the country of export.

   (3)  The Management Authority may for such purposes consult the Scientific Authority as it deems appropriate.]