HYDERABAD:Two poachers, who laid snares on University of Hyderabad (UoH) Campus to catch hares and peacocks were caught by students here Thursday. At the crack of dawn, the duo, who laid the snares to trap animals, entered the campus to check if they were in luck. However, university’s students surrounded the area and handed them over to Telangana Forest Department’s officials.
A total of 20 metal snares kept in the bushes were recovered by the students. Cases will be booked against K Yellaiah, and R Venkanna, under Section-9 of Wildlife Protection Act, for laying traps, said Forest officials.
“The poachers parked their bikes, and jumped campus wall to enter the area. While they were checking the snares, we caught them and handed over to Forest department officials,” said Jillapalli Ravi, founder of Wild Lens, and a PhD student at the department of Animal Sciences.
Usually the snares are used to catch hares. But if a deer steps on it, the trap will clamp it making it unable to walk, said Forest department officials. “We will book cases under Section- 9 of Wildlife Protection Act for laying snares,” said B Srinivas, Hyderabad’s division Forest officer.
The university campus which boasts of flourishing wildlife is a lucrative spot for poachers.