Forest officials in Kerala have apprehended a gang of seven individuals involved in wildlife trafficking. The operation, conducted in Kannur district, led to the seizure of tiger skin, claws, and teeth. The initiative followed confidential intelligence information regarding an attempted sale of these animal parts.

Details of the Arrests

Acting on a tip-off received late Friday night, forest officials launched a coordinated operation. They located three suspects near a school in Kathiroor, within the Thalassery taluk. The initial arrests included Ashwin, a resident of Eruvatti, along with Sandheesh and Balan, both from Cheruvanchery. Forest Range Officer Nithinraj T indicated that the trio was apprehended while trying to sell the tiger products.

Subsequent Arrests and Evidence

Following preliminary inquiries with the initial suspects, forest officials detained four additional individuals: Sharath KK of Kallikandy, Rajeesh of Mangad, Vithul from Cheruvanchery, and Rakhil from Malal. The operation also resulted in the confiscation of an Innova car believed to have been used for transporting the tiger body parts, as well as a scooter that played a role during the incident.

Verification of Seized Items

The items seized during the operation were analyzed by veterinary specialists, who confirmed that they belonged to a tiger. The authorities have sent the components for DNA testing to facilitate ongoing investigations.

Collaboration Among Forest Officials

The operation was led by Kottiyoor Range Officer Nithinraj, alongside the Kannur Forest Vigilance Unit. Multiple forest and vigilance personnel participated in the enforcement action, highlighting the collaborative effort in combating wildlife trafficking.

Legal Proceedings Initiated

The detained individuals were presented before the Thalassery Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Saturday, where they were remanded into judicial custody. Forest officials plan to file for the custody of the suspects to continue the interrogation process.

Links to Broader Poaching Activities

Preliminary investigations suggest that the arrested individuals may be connected to poachers operating in Karnataka, indicating a potential link to where the tiger was hunted. However, it remains unclear whether the gang directly acquired the tiger skin from the poachers.

Continued Investigations

As the investigations progress, forest officials are working to gather more evidence concerning the trafficking network and its operations. The urgency of addressing wildlife crime has become increasingly prominent, with authorities committed to protecting endangered species and combating illegal wildlife trade.