The forest officers of Chittoor district on Tuesday evening arrested 5 individuals on prices of poaching wild animals, after footage, together with one with the carcass of a leopard, posted by one in all them on a social media platform have been dropped at the discover of officers

Based on info. one of many accused, Madhusudhan, on November 7 shared his footage on-line that additionally included one the place he’s wielding a rustic rifle within the backdrop of a forest. Some wildlife lovers, who got here throughout the image, instantly introduced it to the discover of District Forest Officer C. Chaitanya Kumar Reddy, who then fashioned a particular get together to probe the case.

With the knowledge offered by the villagers, the forest personnel took Madhusudhan into custody on November 8(Tuesday). Throughout interrogation, it was revealed that two years again, when Madhusudhan was coming into the reserve forests between Yadamari and Chittoor mandals, he sighted a leopard at a detailed vary. In a flash, he reportedly killed the animal along with his nation rifle.

With the assistance of two different accused, Gangadhar and Dhanasekhar, he reportedly chopped the animal’s hind and forelegs and bought a portion of the nails and bones to “but to be recognized” shoppers.

As per info, the three-member gang, from Chittoor and Yadamari mandals, was reportedly into looking wild animals for meat and buying and selling their bodily elements illegally.

Two others, Rudram and Basu of Gudipala mandal of the district, who equipped nation rifles to the trio have been additionally arrested on Wednesday. The accused, all within the age group of 32-40, have been booked underneath the Wildlife Safety Act 1972 and the Arms Act have been produced earlier than the Chittoor court docket and remanded.

The forest officers recovered the nails and bones of a leopard from their possession.

“Although we might get better the nails and bones of the leopard, we’re but to hint the pelt. Whether or not it’s a singular case or not could be probed,” mentioned DFO Mr. Chaitanya Kumar Reddy mentioned.

The forest officers additionally recovered a number of antlers, two rifles, two bikes, and three mobiles from the accused.