DRI seizes leopard skin, four arrested

Visakhapatnam, India: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Tuesday seized a leopard skin and nabbed four persons in Vizag city. The officers of DRI developed specific intelligence that a gang of traffickers were poaching leopards and selling the skin for profit. The officers identified three persons in the gang, near a hotel in Visakhapatnam on March 12.

On questioning revealed that the persons were in possession of Leopard skin, which is prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Further investigation also led to the identification of another handler, pertaining to the gang. The leopard skin and the vehicles used by the gang were seized and the four persons were immediately apprehended.

As a testimony to enhanced inter-agency coordination, the Leopard skin was immediately handed over to the Andhra Pradesh State Forest officials. The Four persons along with their vehicles (Car and Bike) were also handed over for further investigation under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. EOM

The Leopard (Panthera pardus) is listed in Schedule–I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and is thereby provided the highest degree of protection. Possession of the animal and even its skin is a punishable offence under the Act.

Source:(Times of India)