Those arrested are JailalJagatMadavi (30), SuryabhanRupchandSonwane (33), Anil MahaguKosre (34), all residents of Chanditola, and BudhramAtmaramMadavi (45) of Bolunda.

All the accused are habitual offenders and had laid electric wire traps on January 31, in a farm to poach wild animals for meat. However, a sloth bear and nilgai came in touch with the wire traps and died.

As a bear, which is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 was involved, the probe was conducted seriously.

When the accused found that a bear was killed, they removed its liver, spleen and penis and dumped the carcass in a well by tying stones to it. In a bid to destroy evidence they also cut the nilgai into pieces and threw it in the well.

Goregaon range forest officer (RFO) Vijay Kadam said, "All the four accused have confessed to the crime. We are in process of recovering material used to poach the animals. The accused also removed body parts of bear following superstition that these parts prove to be a good medicine for childless couples."

The accused were picked up from their residences in an early morning swoop on Friday after one accused revealed names. Forester Pradeep Channe, forest guards DM Gurele, RM Parise, SP Dighore, and ShitalMeshram and others were involved the operation.