Major Wildlife Crime Bust in Kerala: Seven Arrested with Tiger Skin and Body Parts
In a significant operation against wildlife trafficking, forest officials in Kerala's Kannur district have successfully apprehended a seven-member gang and confiscated a tiger skin along with claws and teeth. The arrests were made based on confidential intelligence regarding an attempted sale of tiger body parts, marking a crucial victory in the fight against illegal wildlife trade.
Coordinated Operation Based on Secret Intelligence
Acting on precise tip-offs received late Friday night, forest authorities launched a meticulously planned joint operation. The team tracked down three primary suspects near a school in Kathiroor, located within Thalassery taluk. The initial arrests included Ashwin from Eruvatti, along with Sandheesh and Balan, both residents of Cheruvanchery.
"From these persons, we recovered tiger skin, claws and teeth. They had reached the spot to sell these objects," confirmed Nithinraj T, the Forest Range Officer of Kottiyoor, in a statement to PTI. The recovery of these items provided immediate evidence of the illegal wildlife transaction in progress.
Expanded Arrests and Vehicle Seizures
Following preliminary interrogation of the initial detainees, forest officials expanded their operation to capture four additional suspects. The subsequent arrests included Sharath KK from Kallikandy, Rajeesh of Mangad, Vithul from Cheruvanchery, and Rakhil from Malal. This comprehensive roundup effectively dismantled the entire network involved in this particular wildlife crime.
Authorities also seized an Innova car allegedly used for transporting the tiger body parts and a scooter utilized during the criminal operation, as reported by ANI. These vehicle seizures provide crucial physical evidence linking the accused to the transportation of illegal wildlife products.
Medical Confirmation and DNA Testing
The confiscated items underwent immediate examination by a medical professional, who verified that they indeed originated from a tiger. "We have sent them for DNA testing as part of further investigation," Officer Nithinraj explained. This scientific verification process will establish definitive proof of the items' origin and potentially link them to specific tiger populations or poaching incidents.
The operation was conducted by a specialized team led by Kottiyoor Range Officer Nithin Raj, in collaboration with the Kannur Forest Vigilance Unit. Multiple forest and vigilance officers participated in this coordinated effort, demonstrating effective inter-departmental cooperation in combating wildlife crime.
Judicial Proceedings and Interstate Connections
All seven arrested individuals were presented before the Thalassery Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Saturday and subsequently remanded to judicial custody. Forest officials have indicated they will soon petition the court for custody of the accused to conduct more thorough interrogations and uncover additional details about their operations.
Investigations have revealed preliminary connections between the arrested individuals and poachers operating in neighboring Karnataka. This interstate dimension raises suspicions that the tiger may have been hunted in Karnataka, though officials emphasize that whether the gang procured the tiger skin directly from poachers remains under active investigation.
The successful operation highlights the ongoing challenges of wildlife protection in India and the sophisticated networks involved in illegal wildlife trade. Forest officials have emphasized their commitment to pursuing all leads in this case to identify and apprehend any additional individuals involved in this criminal enterprise, from poachers to middlemen in the illegal wildlife trade chain.
