TAMBARAM: A total of 57 birds, some of them rare and protected species, were allegedly shot down by poachers in Pallikaranai marshland on Saturday.

Three men, belonging to the `narikurava' (gypsy) community, have been arrested in connection with the incident by the Tambaram Range of the Forest department. The poachers had apparently shot down the birds for a celebration in their community.

Of the 57 birds shot down, 25 of them were Black Winged Stilt (nedungal oolaan); 15 were Coot (naamakozhi); 5 Pond Herons (kuruttu kokku); 5 Sand Pipers (oolaan); 3 Indian Moorhens (kaanaankozhi); 2 Cattle Egrets and one Night Heron and Pelican each, officials said. Tambaram Range Forest Officer M.S. Ramadhas told reporters that a special team was sent to Pallikaranai marshland on Saturday evening following information about three men poaching the birds.

Country guns seized

By the time it reached the spot, the three men — Rajendran, Ravi and Durai — had shot down 54 birds. The team recovered the birds' carcasses and sent them for post-mortem. Country guns, pellets and gunpowder were seized from the three men, who were booked under the Forest Act and Arms Act. Later, they were remanded to judicial custody.