KOCHI: Estates that have been closed down or converted into tourist cottages in Idukki are fast becoming the hunting ground for wild animals.

Poaching of wild animals is taking place in many of the estates lying in the fringe areas of forests and wildlife sanctuaries. Meat of wild animals is also reportedly discreetly sold in many eateries in Idukki district, according to wildlife department authorities.

Recently, a case was registered against three youths on charges of killing a mouse deer in Vandiperiyar. A loaded country-made gun, antler of a Sambar deer and meat samples were recovered from the accused.

They allegedly shot the animal at Ealachi estate in the Thekkady region which was locked out sometime back.

“Game hunting, illegal guns and alcohol formed part of the culture of some societies living in the fringe areas of the forest. The killing of mouse deer was a common practice in these societies,” said V. Gopinath, Chief Conservator of Forests (Vigilance).

The department is now focusing more on prevention of poaching of tigers, panthers and tuskers using the intelligence network. Last year, Forest officials registered four cases relating to poaching of tigers, he said.

The lockout of estates and absence of strong managements in the functioning ones were providing right ambience for the poachers, said S.R. Radhakrishnan, Range Officer, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady.

There are 43 estates in 5 km radius of the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala side and 23 in Tamil Nadu side of the reserve including Thekkady and Periyar Range. The number of licensed guns in Idukki district is around 350. However, the number of illegal guns could be ten times more than the number of licensed ones, an official said.

Sambar, mouse deer, barking deer, leopards, black napped herons, wild boar and gaur frequent the estates adjoining the forest areas and fell easy prey to the poachers.

Possession of illegal firearms, absence of focus on wildlife crimes outside the protected areas and lack of awareness of conservation were some of the hurdles in checking such poaching, said Padma Mahanti, Deputy Director, Periyar Tiger Reserve.

The delay in getting the forensic results of the seized meat samples was also a cause of worry for the Wildlife authorities.

At present, it was to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, that the meat samples were sent for forensic analysis and it would take at least six months for obtaining the results, Mr. Radhakrishnan said