PUNE: A collaborative effort involving Wildlife SOS, Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), the Gujarat Forest Department, and the Maharashtra Forest Department has seized illegal wildlife contraband and apprehended individuals involved in wildlife smuggling.
A mission to combat wildlife trafficking gained momentum when informants from the Wildlife SOS-GSPCA team gathered intel about individuals attempting to sell wildlife contraband.In response, Wildlife SOS-GSPCA, in collaboration with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and the Gujarat Forest Department, conducted a targeted operation in Kaprada Taluka of Valsad district, Gujarat. The joint effort led to the confiscation of one leopard skin along with four leopard paws, resulting in the apprehension of seven suspects involved in the illicit trade of wildlife.
In a separate incident, based on intelligence shared by Wildlife SOS-GSPCA, a joint raid was carried out by the Maharashtra Forest Department and WCCB near the Trimbakeshwar temple premises in Nashik, Maharashtra. The traffickers had set up shop near the temple and were trying to sell the contraband. The operation resulted in the seizure of 92 pieces of black coral (Antipatharians) and 34 pieces of hatha jodi (hemipenis of Bengal monitor lizard). Two individuals associated with this case were promptly arrested by the forest department.
Raj Pawar, Range Forest Officer, Nasik, Maharashtra, said, “The accused will face charges under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Further investigations are underway to identify and prosecute any additional individuals involved in the illicit wildlife trade in the region.”
A mission to combat wildlife trafficking gained momentum when informants from the Wildlife SOS-GSPCA team gathered intel about individuals attempting to sell wildlife contraband.In response, Wildlife SOS-GSPCA, in collaboration with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and the Gujarat Forest Department, conducted a targeted operation in Kaprada Taluka of Valsad district, Gujarat. The joint effort led to the confiscation of one leopard skin along with four leopard paws, resulting in the apprehension of seven suspects involved in the illicit trade of wildlife.
In a separate incident, based on intelligence shared by Wildlife SOS-GSPCA, a joint raid was carried out by the Maharashtra Forest Department and WCCB near the Trimbakeshwar temple premises in Nashik, Maharashtra. The traffickers had set up shop near the temple and were trying to sell the contraband. The operation resulted in the seizure of 92 pieces of black coral (Antipatharians) and 34 pieces of hatha jodi (hemipenis of Bengal monitor lizard). Two individuals associated with this case were promptly arrested by the forest department.
Raj Pawar, Range Forest Officer, Nasik, Maharashtra, said, “The accused will face charges under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Further investigations are underway to identify and prosecute any additional individuals involved in the illicit wildlife trade in the region.”