BENGALURU: A man, who had travelled 300 km, was found walking around MG Road, with a dead crocodile in his bag on Tuesday.
Anand (25) was roaming the streets in the hope that someone would buy the dead reptile for a huge price. Around 4 pm on Tuesday, people near Dubai Plaza on Rest House Road thought his behaviour was strange, and noticed he was carrying a crocodile hatchling with him.
The hatchling was about 1.5 metres. The police were alerted and officials from the Cubbon Park station rushed to the spot and nabbed Anand.
The officials told City Express that 25-year-old hailed from Mantralaya in Andhra Pradesh. Someone in his town told him that he could earn a lot of money if he sold a crocodile in a big city. He is said to have caught a hatchling from the river and set out to Bengaluru with it in his bag.
Rumour had it that the hatchling was alive. The police, however, confirmed that the animal was dead. According to the officials, the man was not aware that selling crocodile meat is unlawful. He was unemployed, and saw it as an easy way to make money. He was hoping to get at least Rs 10,000 for the reptile.
Ignorance to Blame
The selling of prohibited meat is primarily fuelled by ignorance and superstition, observed Subrahmanian Santakumar, Honorary Trustee, Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre.
The Food Safety Act of India permits slaughter of only certain kinds of animals -- poultry, fish and some bovine animals.
The most commonly found meat of prohibited animals is that of quails and rabbits, Santakumar added. “Several hotels put this on their menu. It is not permissible. Both organised mafia and unorganised groups are making a business of it.”
He attributed this to superstition and lack of awareness.
“For instance, there is an unfounded belief that monitor lizards have medicinal value. We need concerted efforts by police, activists and the people to create better awareness,” he said.
While a lot has changed and the younger personnel are more aware of it, the police department could mandate the inclusion of regulations related to wildlife as part of the training, he said.