STF arrests two animal skin smugglers, recovers three leopard skins

India: In a late night operation on Tuesday, the Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) with support of forest department arrested the members of international gang involved in smuggling of skin and body parts of endangered animals from Haldwani and recovered three leopard skins having international market value worth Rs30 lakh from their possession.

The arrested smugglers were identified as Chinta Singh and Kalyan Singh, both resident of Champawat district. Both were arrested in a joint operation of STF and forest department from Gaula par region in Haldwani city.

"STF had got information that rare wild animal skins and parts are being smuggled in Haldwani, after which we had set up a team to nab the culprits. The team then established contact with forest officials and arrested the culprits with three leopard skins," said Renuka Devi, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) STF.

Significantly, the STF have seized six leopard skins, including two from Dehradun on February 4, in past two months from different parts of the state.

The recovered leopard skins are almost seven feet in length are 4-5 months old. "The leopards were killed 4-5 months back in Champawat and their skins were brought to Haldwani for sale," said Renuka Devi.

During interrogation, the two smugglers have told STF that they used to use highly toxic poison to poach leopards and then sell their skins and body parts in India and neighbouring countries.

Inspector General of Police (IG) STF Sanjay Gunjyal announced the cash reward of Rs 10000 for the STF team for nabbing the smugglers.

(Source: Times of India)