BENGALURU: Two poachers, part of a six-member gang, were arrested for hunting, killing and transporting parts of blackbuck and deer in Banvasi Range, Sirsi, in Uttara Kannada district. Four culprits are absconding.
On Sunday morning, Abdul Majid (65) and Abdul Karim (45)were arrested when they were transporting skin, venison and antlers. The forest officials conducted raids on their shop and seized deer skin, antlers and venison.
The gang had reportedly shot one blackbuck and two spotted deer. About 30 kg of meat was recovered from them. A gun, two-wheeler and a car too were seized.
Two offenders have been remanded to judicial custody for 15 days by the Sirsi JMFC court.
Speaking to Express, Banvasi range forest officer Shivanand Pujar said investigations were going on as they had to ascertain whether these people had any links to other poaching networks in the state.
He said, “We arrested two people while four are absconding. They all belong to Andigi village in Banvasi taluk.
They have not killed the animals in this range but were transporting the dead animal parts in these regions when they were apprehended. Only after catching the other four will we be able to ascertain where the animals were killed.”
Rampant deer poaching
Hunting of blackbucks, spotted deer and sambar has become rampant in the state in the last one year, says G Veeresh, wildlife activist from Chikkamagaluru.
“Most of the time, it is done by organised and professional hunting gangs when you look at the various cases that have happened recently in Kolar, Hassan, Dakshin Kannada, Chamarajnagara and Chikkamagaluru.
They operate in groups and hunt for meat and further, are involved in smuggling the skin and antlers as it is highly prized. In fact, this has become a money spinner for poachers as both meat and skin and antlers fetch a high price in domestic markets.”
Experts add the poachers have been found to use illegally procured foreign-made guns and rifles and also exchange their weapons amongst the wide hunters’ network. Investigation by forest officials has also revealed that the poachers have an inter-state hunting network for both hunting and smuggling operations spread across the country.
A forest official added, “It is surprising how such a cache of sophisticated arms and ammunition are easily available to the poachers.
This shows the sheer lack of intelligence or information on the part of police.
If we have to stop these poaching networks that have spread their tentacles across the country, there is need for coordinated approach between police, forest and intelligence agencies.”