A significant interstate network allegedly involved in the poaching of leopards and the illegal trade of their skins and body parts has been uncovered in Madhya Pradesh. This follows a collaborative investigation carried out by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force (STSF), and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB). Authorities have arrested nine individuals as part of their efforts to dismantle a chain that reportedly connects poachers in Madhya Pradesh with traffickers across state boundaries.

Two of those arrested are believed to have affiliations with a Delhi-based wildlife conservation NGO. This organisation, noted for its role in wildlife protection, is now under scrutiny as investigators assess whether these individuals may have leveraged the NGO’s resources to facilitate their alleged involvement in the trafficking operations. The STSF has formally summoned the NGO’s CEO to appear before investigators in Shivpuri on August 17, although no definitive links between the NGO and the accused have been established thus far.

The investigations commenced after the arrest of Bhagwan Singh, alias Salim, a known figure in wildlife trafficking, along with his associate Wasim on August 11 and August 13, respectively. Officials suspect that their ties with the NGO date back approximately five years. These connections have prompted investigators to further explore the nature of their interactions with the organisation and its potential implications for the current investigation.

Raids Reveal Extensive Trafficking Operation

The investigation took a decisive turn following a raid at the Rajputana Hotel, located in the Saiyan area along the Agra-Gwalior Highway, on July 23. Four alleged wildlife traffickers were apprehended during this operation, and their subsequent interrogation yielded crucial evidence, including leopard skins, severed heads, and other wildlife remains. This operation has exposed a broader trafficking network, prompting investigations that span multiple states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan.

To date, a total of ten leopard skins have reportedly been recovered, with the number of arrests now at nine, following the earlier detainment of seven additional individuals linked to the case. The scale of the operation indicates a sophisticated network that may not be confined to a single geographical location.

As inquiries continue, investigators are piecing together information related to the hunting activities across different locations, with reports suggesting that six leopards were killed in the Kuno Wildlife Division, two in Sheopur, and another two in the Chambal Sanctuary in Morena. Suspects have revealed that these animals were ensnared using nylon nets and subsequently killed using blunt force before their parts were harvested for illegal trade.

Establishing the Wildlife Trafficking Supply Chain

The STSF is making efforts to map out the entire supply chain, focusing on the interconnections between the poachers, intermediaries, and final buyers of the trafficked wildlife goods. Authorities are also scrutinising the movement of these contraband items across state lines and investigating the roles of various individuals who may have aided in the logistics of this operation.

In parallel, the association of the arrested individuals with the Delhi-based NGO remains a focal point of the investigation. Law enforcement hopes to identify other individuals in the suspected network while also tracing the origins and destinations of the recovered wildlife remains. The ongoing probe aims to ascertain whether additional parties were involved in financing or orchestrating the alleged poaching activities.

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