Kolhapur : Four men from Belagavi district in Karnataka were arrested after they were allegedly caught cutting, cleaning and cooking porcupine meat at a house in the Chandgad forest range, forest officials said. Two suspected accomplices escaped during the raid.
The Patne Range forest team also rescued a live turtle and seized goods worth Rs 1,98,820. The arrested men were identified as Pundalik Ningappa Gurav (46), currently residing at Mhalunge Malgad and originally from Golyali in Khanapur taluka; Devappa Babu Kulam (34), Ramling Dhondiba Gavas (39) and Tukaram Shankar Gawde (40), all residents of Golyali in Khanapur taluka. A case was registered under Sections 2(5), 2(16)(a), (b) and (c), 9, 39, 44a(IV), (V) and (b), 50 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolhapur | Silver Rate in Kolhapur | Bank Holidays in Kolhapur | Public Holidays in Kolhapur Stay updated with the latest Kolhapur news. A search is underway for the absconding suspects. The team raided a house in Mhalunge village’s Malgad area and found four suspects preparing and cooking porcupine meat. Two others fled. The operation was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Conservator of Forests Dhairyashil Patil, Assistant Conservator of Forests Vilas Kale and Sheetal Patil, with forest rangers Varshada Pawaskar, Johnson D’Souza, Balasaheb Bhandkoli and other staff. Download the TOI App.
Patne Range Forest Officer Sheetal Patil said the Tudiye forest ranger received a tip-off about poaching while the team was patrolling on Wednesday night.