Sullia: Two persons were arrested by Kodagu Koyanadu forest range officials on Wednesday for allegedly hunting and killing a wild boar in the Chembu Forest Range and transporting its meat.
The accused have been identified as Gautham from Chembu and Sharath from Peraje. Another person, identified as Yathin from Kadupanja, has been named as an accused and is currently absconding.
According to forest officials, the incident occurred at Kadupanja in the Chembu forest area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Kodagu Forest Department. The accused allegedly used a gun to hunt and kill the wild boar before packing its meat in plastic bags.
Forest officials intercept vehicle
After allegedly hunting the animal, the accused reportedly transported the meat in a Maruti Eeco bearing a KA-12 registration number.
The vehicle was being taken towards Kaipadk near Kallugundi when forest officials, acting on a tip-off, intercepted it.
During the inspection, officials allegedly found wild boar meat packed in plastic bags inside the vehicle. The forest team also seized the gun allegedly used for hunting and the Maruti Eeco used for transporting the meat.
Gautham and Sharath were subsequently taken into custody by the forest officials.
The seizure of the firearm, vehicle and suspected wild boar meat has formed part of the forest department’s investigation into the alleged hunting incident.
Third accused absconding
Forest officials have identified Yathin of Kadupanja as the third accused in the case. However, he was not present when the vehicle was intercepted.
Officials said Yathin is absconding and that a search operation has been launched to trace and apprehend him.
The department is continuing its investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged hunting of the wild boar and the roles played by the accused.
The action followed information received by the forest department about the alleged transportation of wild animal meat. Officials acted on the tip-off and intercepted the vehicle before it could proceed further.
Forest team conducts operation
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Senthil Kumar (IFS) and Range Forest Officer Dincy Dechamma.
Deputy Range Forest Officer Sreeraksha was also involved in supervising the operation. Forest personnel including Suresh, Sandeep Gowda, Vijendra Kumar and Vinay Krishna participated in the action.
Forest guards Yamanuri Koluru, Karthik D, Siddesh, Nagaraj S, Sidram Natikar and Srikanth Biradar, along with other staff from the Sampaje range, were also part of the team.
The coordinated operation enabled officials to intercept the suspected vehicle and secure the alleged hunting-related material.
Investigation continues
The forest department is expected to investigate the source of the firearm, the circumstances in which the animal was allegedly hunted and the involvement of the accused in transporting its meat.
Officials will also continue efforts to locate the absconding accused.
The seizure of the vehicle and firearm is likely to form part of the evidence being examined by the department as it proceeds with the case.
The incident has once again highlighted the need for vigilance in forest areas adjoining human settlements, where illegal hunting and transportation of wild animal meat can pose a threat to wildlife conservation.
With two accused already arrested and another being searched for, forest officials are continuing their efforts to establish the complete sequence of events and take further action under applicable wildlife protection laws.