The Karnataka Forest Department had its hand full this new year's eve as it arrested a group of 12 men for hunting two sambar deer in the Tanigebailu Wildlife Range of the Bhadra Tiger Reserve.
According to the forest department, eight out of the 12 accused are from Bengaluru, educated and well placed in reputed software firms. Four members of the group were locals from Attigundi village who had helped the rest in locating the protected animals. Officials claim that half of the accused were trained in shooting and were in fact, recipients of shooting awards from the Karnataka State Rifle Association.
While 11 of the 12 accused have been arrested, Rafiq Ahmed, a sharp shooter and realtor from Bengaluru is absconding. As the search for him continues, sources close to Sanctuary report that another person connected to the crime was arrested on the fourth of January. Police officials recovered antlers from his possession, and are probing the possibility of this incident being connected to a blackbuck poaching case from 2002 in the neighbouring district.
The offenders were caught at the Kemmanagundi check post on the morning of first January while they attempted to flee the protected forest area. The officials seized the carcasses of the animals and licensed rifles from the accused's vehicles.According to reports, the accused were taking the sambar meat back to Bengaluru for a new year's party. The male deer, a magnificent 12-15 year old adult, weighed close to 400 kg. and the female deer weighed 70 kg.
The sambar, a protected species, is the preferred prey of the tiger because of its large size. Therefore, the hunting game indulged in for a momentary misguided thrill, has much larger repercussions that extend beyond the population of the hunted species.
“Urban cowboys with machismo in their blood are no better than hardcore poachers. They not only deplete carnivore prey but also set an undercurrent of bad examples for the young, impressionable and aspirational individuals of our country," said Bittu Sahgal, Founder, Sanctuary Nature Foundation.
"The Karnataka Forest Department must be commended for the prompt and efficient manner in which the situation was handled. While the search for the absconding member continues 11 of the 12 accused are already in judicial custody. Members of WildCat-C and our organisation are assisting the authorities," said D.V. Girish of the Bhadra Wildlife Conservation Trust, which has played a crucial role in safeguarding the tiger reserve.
Booked under several sections of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the accused were presented before the Tarikere JMFC court on Sunday. The court has placed the group under 14-day judicial custody. The state's prompt response reflects the Karnataka government's resolve of making 2017 ‘the year of the wild'.
Update: An estate supervisor was arrested on January 5, 2016 for hosting the poachers and for helping them to dress the meat of the poached animals. The two vehicles used by the hunters were also seized from Chikmagalur by the district superintendent of police (SP).Â
Sources: The New Indian Express
