In a major crackdown, the Forest Mobile Squad apprehended a gang of four individuals involved in illegal hunting of wild boars and deer on Friday. The authorities seized two wild boars and two deer, which were found in the suspects’ SUV after a high-speed chase on the outskirts of Ramanagara district.
Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Deputy Conservator of Forest, Sunitha Bai, tracked the suspicious movement of the accused and attempted to intercept the vehicle. The suspects, realizing they were being pursued, tried to flee but were successfully cornered near Chikkakuntanahalli.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Srinivasa (46), Hanumantharaju (44), Muniraju (38), and an accomplice who joined the group for a share of the meat. The authorities also confiscated two firearms, including an air gun and a licensed single bore weapon, along with machetes and knives used for hunting.
The suspects admitted to engaging in illegal hunting for over a year, claiming they killed more than 20 wild animals. While they insisted the hunting was for personal meat consumption and distribution to relatives, officials suspect the activity could have been driven by commercial motives.
The authorities have confiscated the weapons and recommended the cancellation of the gun licenses. The accused have been charged under the Forest Act and are currently in judicial custody as investigations continue into their past illegal hunting activities.