LEOPARD SKIN SEIZED NEAR RAJAJI PARK

A full grown leopard skin was seized from Haripur Kalan village near Motichur Railway crossing by the Dehradun Forest Division in a joint operation of the anti-poaching cell of Uttarakhand Forest Department and the Wildlife Protection Society of India. Two persons have been arrested in this matter. Further details will follow.

THREE LEOPORD SKINS SEIZED AND THREE POACHERS ARRESTED

A day long combined operation of the Uttarakhand Forest Department and the Wildlife Preservation Society of India on 22nd July 2011 culminated in the arrest of three persons with three leopard skins seized from them. The seizure took place at night 8 O' Clock at a remote locality called Shama in District Bageshwar of Uttarakhand, India. The main accused is

451 live turtles seized at Bangkok airport

451 live turtles were seized from a baggage from a Bangladesh flight at Suvarnabhumi airport, Bangkok, Thailand. The offender managed to escape and did not collect the luggage. For details see http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jun/02/thai-customs-turtles-suitcase-smuggled

Three leopard skins seized

Three leopard skins were seized by Uttarkashi Kotwali police today. Two of the skins were found to be of leopards poisoned by insecticide Nuvan and the other one was shot dead. The police arrested two persons Atar Singh s/o Shyam Singh Kathaith and Sohan Lal s/o Mangsiru Singh, both resident of Gram Bagedi, Tehsil Chilyani, dt. Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India.

Leopard cubs reunite with mother

In a detailed investigation of the resuced leopard cubs on 24th May and the leopard skin seized on 22nd May from very nearby places, a positive correlation was arrived on that the fresh skin which was seized on 22nd having three bullet holes belonged to the mother of the three male leopard cubs resuced. DNA samples of both mother and one of the cub which died on 1st June has been send for verification. The middlemen involved in the skin trade are absconding and is believed to have escaped to Nepal, while the suspected poacher having a licenced gun in the nearby village is yet to be arrested.

The leopard cubs were kept in strict supervision and diet. One leopard cub died on the 8th day after recovery. The other two recovered from dysentry and diarrhoea, flattulence, malnutrition, etc., but on the 18th day started showing symptoms of weakness and inability to walk properly. Probably the internal organs had started showing signs of degeneration. One of the cubs died yesterday afternoon and the other passed away after midnight, 20 days after rescue.

Two persons also had dreams of mother leopard roaming around to take away the cubs. We can now believe that the leopard cubs have finally united with their mother in heaven.

Another wildlife poacher arrested from Pithoragarh

Another wildlife poacher and trader, Mr.Ramesh Ram of village Badalu, Pithoragarh was arrested today 22nd May 2011 in the early morning hours by the police with a leopard skin recovered from him. The skin was fresh and was foul smelling and had three bullet holes. Today evening, he was sent to 14 days remand in judicial custody. According to the accused, he got the skin from another person in village Rongu a few kilometers away. The increasing number of arrests and seizures show that though there has been dedicated campaign to end the crime, the trade is still flourishing due to international demand for the precious skins. Details of the present crime investigation will be posted from time to time. To keep track of these and help control wildlife crime, follow this blog.

Leopard skins seized in Himachal Pradesh, India

In a joint operation of WPSI and  Palampur Forest Division, Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, India, seven leopard skins were seized and four persons were arrested.