KOLAR: Three people were arrested by the forest officials early Sunday for allegedly killing two endangered black bucks in Badamakanahalli forest area. One blackbuck was pregnant, according to veterinary doctors.
The poachers used a .202 rifle to kill the animals. They also slit the throats of the animals, said Santhosh Kumar, Range Forest Officer. The blackbucks were about two years old.
The arrested are Mohammed Zibran (30), a resident of Subash Nagar, Bengaluru, Manjunath (50) and Selvam (40) who works at Zibran’s farm house. Zibran reportedly does not have a valid licence to use the rifle.
Santhosh Kumar said the forest officials received information on Saturday that a group of persons who had gained entry into the forest area were attempting to poach deer. The guards had kept a watch.
On Sunday, around 5.30am, the guards heard gunshots and immediately rushed to the spot. The three accused who were attempting to shift the carcases into Zibran’s car were arrested on the spot by forest officials.
All the three were later produced before the JMFC judge H R Ravi Kumar, who remanded them to judicial custody.
Investigation revealed that Zibran owns a farm house and land adjacent to Badamakanahalli forest area.