RAJKOT: One of the main reasons why the blackbucks have become vulnerable to poaching is that a large number of them are found outside Velavadar Blackbuck National Park (BNP) in Bhavnagar.
According to forest officials, there are about 4,800 blackbucks out of which around 3,000 were found outside the national park in Velavadar. The 34.52 sq km area was declared a national park in 1976 to conserve the species and its habitat.
"Blackbucks are found in over 100 square km area outside the park and this makes them vulnerable to poachers. Detection of wildlife crime is also an area of concern," said a forest department official.
"No one has been arrested in last week's case where one blackbuck was shot near Sundariyana village in Ranpur taluka. In 2007, one blackbuck was shot dead in Kumbharvada in Bhavnagar and the case is yet to be detected,'' he added. Blackbuck species is protected under Schedule I category of Wildlife Protection Act-1972, a highest protection provided for a wild species.
Sources said that the modus operandi of the poachers is to use country-made weapons to fire at herds during the night. "Around 10-15 bullets are fired at a time at a herd. As soon as the animals falls after being hit, poachers go and slit their throats," explained sources.
They further said that country-made weapons that are available at throwaway prices in the market posed greater threat to wild species.
In 2010, there were 3,950 blackbucks. Out of them 2,308 were reportedly found outside the national park area.
