BENGALURU: Tanigebailu Range of Bhadra Tiger Reserve, which has been in the news for the last two months for discovery of one of the biggest poaching networks in the state, once again witnessed hunting and killing of sambar and barking deer.
On Friday night, two local hunters were caught by forest officials when they were barbecuing the poached animal. They were arrested by Reserve Forest Officer K Ullas Karanth and his team who had earlier arrested 11 poachers of a wider network.
Based on a tip, the forest team raided a house in Dupadkhan village near Tangebailu range. The two locals, Arjun and Shashi, were arrested. A third accomplice, Manju alias Guli Manju, is absconding with the gun that was used to shoot the animal.
The Tarikere JMFC court has remanded both the hunters to 14 days in judicial custody.
Officials said 10kg of sambar meat along with barbecued meat were seized from the house. The hunters had also killed a barking deer about 20 days back. The team recovered the animal’s head.
G Veeresh, wildlife activist said, “This region has become very dangerous for survival of animals. They are snared, hunted, electrocuted and poisoned frequently. ” RFO Ullas and his team are making efforts to control hunting, Veeresh added.