India: Based on a tip-off from village wildlife volunteers of NGO-Tiger Watch, officials of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve helped Madhya Pradesh forest department nabbing two Mogias involved in poaching of a leopard and in process of selling it.

The forest department got a tip-off about some people were involved in poaching a leopard and trying to sell it across Chambal River in Kuno Palpur under Sheopur district (MP). The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Delhi was informed by officials who in turn, informed the Madhya Pradesh forest department officials.

"This a positive start on World Environment Day wherein Ranthambhore Forest department,WCCB and Madhya Pradesh forest department came together to fight the menace of wildlife crime. The lead came from RTR and we sent an intelligence alert to Madhya Pradesh. A special task force from MP was put into operation and, Monday morning, two people were apprehended with a Leopard skin and weapons. During deposition they revealed the crime," said R S Sharath inspector WCCB.

While it is believed that the animal was poached by a gun, the matter is under investigation. The task force recovered a leopard skin, a gun, gun powder, lead for pellets, iron jaw traps besides many other tools used for poaching.

"It was a well-coordinated exercise by various agencies and two states in checking wildlife crime across geographical boundaries," said Y K Sahu, CCF Wildlife and Field Director, Ranthambhore.

(Source: Times of India)