World · India Bureau
Man arrested for illegal hunting in Kerala's Panathady reserve forest
Forest officials in Kasaragod arrested a man on poaching charges after discovering sambar deer meat during a routine inspection. Two other suspects escaped the scene.
LSN India ·
A man was arrested by the Forest Department in Kasaragod district on Wednesday after officials discovered illegal wildlife contraband during an inspection of Panathady reserve forest. The arrested individual, identified as Siddhique, was caught carrying sambar deer meat in sacks along with two other persons. The Forest Department team spotted the trio during a routine patrol and immediately moved to apprehend them. While Siddhique was taken into custody, the other two suspects, identified as Noufal and Zubair, managed to flee the area. A manhunt has been launched for the absconding individuals. The sambar deer is a protected species under Indian wildlife laws, and hunting or poaching the animal attracts stringent penalties. The arrest comes as the Forest Department continues its efforts to curb illegal poaching activities within reserved forest areas across Kerala's northern districts.