Maharashtra: Live pangolin and walrus tusk seized from Kolhapur, Ratnagiri

The accused were arrested under sections of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972

In a massive operation against wildlife crimes, the Maharashtra Forest Department teams from Kolhapur and Konkan have arrested many persons in the last one week, and have recovered a live pangolin and leopard nails. What is also surprising, is the fact that in one case, the officials have seized an ivory walrus tusk. Three offenders were detained in connection with the same.

On August 31, forest department officials, along with local police and members of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), conducted a raid in Ratnagiri and arrested Mahummed Naik, Hemant Kander and Rajan Pange, and seized a walrus tusk. Investigations are ongoing, and the authorities are trying to find out where the accused got the tusk from.

On September 3, the officials received a tip off from their sources that one Mahadev Waskar, a resident of Shivdav in Bhudargad Taluka of Kolhapur district, was keeping parts of wild animals in his house.

Speaking to mid-day, Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) of Kolhapur, V Clement Ben, said, "The forest department team immediately conducted a raid at Bhaskar's home and recovered leopard nails, and 720 gm of meat, which might be of a wild animal. Our team also recovered a gun and 13 bullets. Further investigation is on, and the accused has been booked under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972."

In another incident, the forest department officials in Guhagar in Ratnagiri and the local police had received a tip off that there were few people who are involved in smuggling of a live pangolin. The pangolin is the world's most trafficked wild animal, as it has a huge demand in the international market, and its body parts are used for making traditional Chinese medicine.

"Our team, along with the police, visited Dhopave Village near Guhagar in Ratnagiri district and three people were taken in custody. Mahesh Pawar, Sandesh Pawar and Milind Jadhav were arrested under various sections of WPA 1972 and a live pangolin was recovered from them," added Ben.

720
Grams of animal meat seized