KARWAR: Anshi range forest officials arrested two poachers and recovered five skins of monitor lizard, four leopard canines and a firearm at Kadagarani section of Anshi forest range in Joida taluk of Uttara Kannada district on Monday.
According to Anshi forest officials, the arrested are Sudhakar Vaddu Gouda and Krishna Valnu Revankar of Ulavi village in Joida taluk. Search is on for another poacher, who fled the spot.
On Monday, the trio went for poaching at Kadagarani forest area with gun. After poaching five monitor lizards and a leopard, they were returning with skins of lizards and canines of leopard. Acting on tip-off, the staff arrested two of them and recovered skins, canines, a gun and 15 bullets from their possession.
The forest officials booked cases under Wildlife Protection Act and Violation of Indian Arms Act against them. The arrested have been remanded in judicial custody. It is said that they are habitual offenders and there are no previous cases against them.
Incidents of poaching has been reduced in the area after setting up of 12 anti-poaching camps (APC) at Anshi range. In the last three months, two cases were registered, including the one reported on Monday. In February, two persons, who were allegedly selling 19 leopard nails during the Ulavi car festival, were arrested, said an officer.
Caption: Anshi forest staffs with the arrested poachers and recovered skins of monitor lizard and leopard canine in Joida taluk on Monday