Bear, nilgai poached near Nagzira; organs missing

The Times of India , Tuesday, February 02, 2016
Correspondent : MankaBehl
Nagpur: Days after two sloth bears were electrocuted in Adyal range of Bhandara division, carcasses of another sloth bear and a nilgai were found dumped in a well in Bolunda village, close to Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR). The liver, spleen and penis of the bear and three legs of the nilgai were removed. Sources said that removing private parts of the sloth bear was a part of superstition for childless couples seeking a baby.

The carcasses were found on Sunday in Bolunda by a villager who informed the forest officials. While range forest officer (RFO) of Goregaon V Kadam tried to downplay the incident by saying concrete information regarding removal of parts will come only after the post-mortem report, sources from the spot confirmed that some parts of bear were removed and nilgai was completely butchered. Also some two-three kilometres away from the spot, two potato bombs were found at a farm at Borgaon. "Our volunteers saw huge fresh potatoes in the farm and got suspicious. On checking, they found a chip inside them. This is a new kind of bomb we have come across. It might if an animal ate the potatoes," said honorary wildlife warden of GondiaSawanBahekar.

"The carcasses were tied to big stones before being dumped into the well so the they don't float up. The animals must have been poisoned, trapped or electrocuted," said the sources. Kadam said the post-mortem was conducted and investigation was in progress. "Prima facie it appears the bear's body was thrown into the well four-five days back. Post-mortem will reveal what parts were removed," he added.

Senior officials from the department said removal of organs is done under superstitious beliefs. "In nearby villages, a bear's penis is believed to be a cure for childlessness as it is believed to bestow fertility. Liver and other parts are also used for making good luck bracelet," they said.

Bahekar said that rampant poaching of scheduled animals showed that department had no control.

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Bear-nilgai-poached-near-Nagzira-organs-missing/articleshow/50813042.cms
 


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