Hundreds of endangered Indian Star tortoises smuggled into Malaysia were to be sent back to India but are stranded here due to a 'technical glitch'.

The 385 tortoises were supposed to be repatriated on Tuesday. They were seized from an Indian national at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on April 26 after being smuggled in from India.

"We have some technical problems. Their return has been postponed until next week," Haidar Khan, senior assistant director with the Wildlife Protection and National Parks department, told AFP.

The delay was due to differences between the Indian government and the transport agent in coordinating the return flight of the tortoises.

India has imposed a ban on the export of Indian Star tortoises to protect the species, which can fetch from between RM50 (US$14.5) to RM200 each in Malaysia, where they are popular as pets.

Wildlife officials said in May that criminal gangs were using Malaysia as a hub for exporting millions of dollars worth of wildlife for the Chinese market.

The officials said trafficking of wildlife had hit alarming levels in Malaysia, which also played the role of source and consumer.