Royal Bengal Tiger skin, bones, skull with teeth recovered in Arunachal, one poacher arrested

It was found through a photo from the accused's cell phone that the tiger had actually been poached from the Malinye area of the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary Anini

In a significant development in illegal wildlife smuggling or trafficking, a tiger poacher was arrested and skin of a Royal Bengal Tiger along with bones and other body parts of the tiger was recovered from his possession in the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, Anini of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday (February 24, 2023).

The recovery was made during a joint operation conducted by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) along with Sadiya Forest Range (SRO), under Eastern Region Headquarters, Kolkata, Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department and Assam Forest Department.

The joint team during the operation intercepted a vehicle at the Sadiya side of the Dholla-Sadiya Bridge and recovered the items.

Seized items are–

(1) Royal Bengal Tiger skin- 01 no ( approx size-2.15 Mtrs x 1.45 mtrs).
(2) Tiger canine – 04 pieces.
(3) Skull with teeth- 01 no.
(4) Bones- 46 pieces.
(5) Vehicle bearing no. AS23V2160

The arrested poacher has been identified as Jakir Husain, a resident of Hagun toli in Nagaoan district.

As per inputs, after the team stopped the car, the primary suspect in the case from Arunachal Pradesh (Anini/Roing) fled taking advantage of the dense forest. However, the team could recover few documents of the absconded individual from the vehicle.

During the investigation, it was found through a photo from the accused’s cell phone that the tiger had actually been poached with the help of local poachers from the Malinye area of the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary Anini.

The search for the other accused from the nearby Anini and Roing districts is underway.

Meanwhile, immediately after getting the report of tiger poaching, the PCCF, Arunachal Pradesh has constituted a High-Level Committee under the Chairmanship of the Field Director, Namdapha Tiger Reserve for further inquiry into the issue in Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary and to provide technical assistance to the Investigation team.

Further directives have also been given to the local authorities so they can maintain a high level of alertness in order to catch the perpetrators and stop similar poaching situations in Anini and other regions of the State as well.

COMMENTS