BALLARI: Siruguppa deputy range forest officer and his staff earlier this week found a gang of peacock poachers around the Matur Lake near HatcholliHobali, seized a two-wheeler, which is registered in the name of a government employee, and dead birds. Around 12.30am on September 11, Pompapathi T Naik, DRFO, received information from a reliable source about poaching at the lake.
He informed police and staff rushed to the lake along with his staff. They heard the sound of gunfire and rushed in that direction. The poachers stopped removing skin from the birds and fled the spot after suspecting that some persons are approaching them. They left behind a two-wheeler which is registered in the name of Gangadhar, who stays in the government quarters at Ballari.
V Mallappa, head constable, Hatcholli police station, said, "Forest officers conducted a raid and completed the panchanama on the spot. They're investigating the case."
Naik said, "We filed the FIR on Monday, seized the vehicle and dead birds. We hope to track down the vehicle owner within a couple of days."
Residents of Matur said, "Poachers regularly move around the lake and in the forest on government holidays and Sundays."
A case under Section 9/91 of the Wildlife Protection Act was registered. The peacock is protected under Section 51 (1-A), Schedule 1, of the Act. Hunting and killing of the National Bird is strictly prohibited. It's much sought after by poachers because its feathers and fat, used in the treatment of arthritis, are sold for large sums of money.
