Seized Feathers Point To Peacock Poaching

After Rajasthan and Gujarat, Tamil Nadu has probably the largest population of the national bird —especially in Tiruchi, Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar and Coimbatore districts where they are found in open areas. But, with thousands of the birds being poached for meat and medicine the state appears to be losing the colourful species protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act.

However, forest department officials denied the latest incident was related to poaching. "The three arrested said they bought the feathers in other states and brought them here," Chennai wildlife warden V Karunapriya told TOI. Read the full report here.

Source: A Selvaraj, TNN, Chennai.