A WhatsApp status showing a hunted sambar deer has led the forest department to a wider poaching trail across southern Tamil Nadu.
What began with a 26-year-old man’s post in Tenkasi was followed by enforcement action in Kanyakumari and Dindigul, with seven people arrested in three cases within 72 hours. In Tenkasi, Suresh, 26, of Veeranam allegedly hunted a sambar deer in Mullimalai Pothai under Kadayanallur forest range. The investigation led forest personnel to Alvin, 30, of Kattupudur, and Ramesh.
Three others suspected of joining the hunt are being searched for, said forest officials. Officials seized sambar meat, antlers, the snare, weapons and mobile phones, said Karvendan. Madurai: A WhatsApp status meant to flaunt deer meat has ended up putting forest officials on the trail of sambar deer hunting across southern Tamil Nadu. After his WhatsApp status showing its cut pieces reached forest officials, they traced and arrested him. Forest officials arrested Thangavel, Chinnasamy of Nayakkanur, Raja of Kalanjipatti and Saravanan of Pudukalanjipatti, all from villages along the forest fringes. The four were produced before a magistrate in Oddanchatram and remanded to Madurai Central Prison.
The two were arrested based on evidence and information gathered during the probe, produced before the special court handling forest cases in Nagercoil and remanded in judicial custody.
Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) is a Schedule I species under Wildlife (Protection) Act and hunting such species can attract three to seven years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 25,000. Even as the Tenkasi investigation widened, another sambar deer hunt surfaced in Kanyakumari district. Forest personnel patrolling near Therkumalai reserve forest in Boothapandi range noticed signs of hunting around Kottakarai reserve.