AGRA: The Uttar Pradesh Police Department in a routine vehicle checking in Mirzapur discovered a shocking consignment concealed inside a SUV; Six rare wild cats (five 'Caracals' and one Leopard Cat) all protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act were seized from wildlife smugglers.
The Uttar Pradesh Policeintercepted a SUV vehicle during routine vehicle checking that had a strange consignment. The policemen discovered six rather unhappy wild cats contained in small wire cages. Of the three smugglers, one was taken into police custody while the other two managed to escape. Further interrogation by the authorities revealed that five caracals and one leopard cat were being smuggled through Uttar Pradesh while the destination was Hyderabad.
Caracals (Caracal caracal) is a medium sized, bright brick colored wild cat with its most characteristic feature being the black-tufted ears. This species is rare with about only 200 individuals' surviving in the wild. The Caracals inhabit the scrub forests of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Reports of Caracals in Uttar Pradesh also exist.
The leopard cat (Prionailurusbengalensis) is a small wild cat, widely distributed in the Indian subcontinent. They are arboreal by nature but can also be found near water bodies. The leopard cat is under threat from being poached for its fur, meat and as pets.
Both species are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. A case has been filed against the accused under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the police are closely investigating into the matter to capture the two escaped felons.
KartickSatyanarayan, co-founder, Wildlife SOS said, "These rare and unique cats in demand as pets and were being smuggled through Uttar Pradesh and on to Hyderabad. Interrogation of the suspect in custody will provide forward and backward linkages. We will provide assistance to the Police and Forest Departmentfor investigations and prosecution as and when required"
District forest officer (Mirzapur) Shri Pandey said, "We received word of a suspicious looking Innova, whose number plate was intentionally covered with mud in an attempt to avoid detection. The animals were very stressed as they were forcefully crammed into the tiny cages. They are currently under veterinary care at the Lucknow Zoo."
