In a major crackdown on illegal wildlife hunting, forest officials from the Karad range in Satara district seized a vehicle transporting seven live wild boars, allegedly meant for illegal slaughter and bushmeat trade.

Acting on a tip-off, a forest patrol team stopped a vehicle on the Kasarshirambe-Belawade road around 5 am on Tuesday. The inspection led to the recovery of the wild boars, along with hunting nets, gas cylinders, and three trained hunting dogs.