Seven Arrested for Allegedly Hunting Peacocks in Yadgir Forest

<p>Seven men were arrested after the Regional Forest Department allegedly caught them hunting peacocks in the Baggalumadu forest area near Motanahalli in Yadgir taluk, officials confirmed on Saturday, September 12.</p>
<p>Forest personnel acted swiftly on a tip-off that a group had allegedly entered the forest to hunt peacocks. Officials conducted a raid at the location and detained all seven suspects on the spot.</p>
<p>The arrested men were identified as Ningappa, Vasudeva, Kareppa, Kantappa, Yallalinga, Basavaraj and Mallappa. According to forest officials, all seven are from villages in Chittapur taluk of the neighbouring Kalaburagi district.</p>
<p>During the raid, officials seized the remains of two peacocks. Six country-made guns, allegedly used by the suspects for hunting, were also recovered from the site.</p>
<p>A case has been registered by the Yadgir Regional Forest Department under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged hunting and is also examining whether the accused had been involved in other wildlife offences.</p>
<p>Peacocks are protected wildlife under Indian law, and hunting them is prohibited. Forest officials have stepped up surveillance across forest areas following reports of illegal hunting and suspected trade in peacock meat and other parts.</p>
<p>The Yadgir arrests come shortly after a separate wildlife offence was reported in Chikkaballapur. The Bengaluru Forest Mobile Squad had raided a farmhouse near Baiyappanahalli following information about alleged illegal hunting and sale of peacock meat. During that raid, officials reportedly recovered around 3 kg of peacock meat along with bones and feathers, and rescued a live peacock.</p>
<p>Investigators in that case allegedly found that Sadiq Pasha, a relative of the farmhouse owner, was involved in hunting peacocks and selling the meat. Authorities also suspected that peacock bones were being supplied for alleged occult-related practices. Sadiq Pasha was arrested under the Wildlife Protection Act.</p>