In a decisive action against wildlife crime, forest department officials in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul district apprehended three individuals on charges of attempting to poach wild rabbits. The incident occurred in the Odaipatti forest area near Ottanchatram on Sunday, leading to arrests and the seizure of illegal equipment.
Tip-Off Leads to Forest Patrol and Discovery
The operation was set into motion after authorities received credible intelligence about potential poaching activities in the region. Acting swiftly on the tip, a team of forest officials conducted a patrol in the vulnerable Odaipatti forest zone. During their search, they discovered and confiscated several traps that had been strategically placed to capture wild rabbits, a protected species under wildlife laws.
Investigation Identifies and Nabs Culprits
A subsequent investigation by the forest team quickly led them to the perpetrators. The accused were identified as Manikandan (33), Manikandan (28), and Solai (27). All three are construction workers who were residing temporarily in the vicinity of the forest. Officials confirmed that the men had set up the traps themselves, targeting the local wild rabbit population.
Legal Consequences and Seizure
The enforcement action concluded with the arrest of the trio. The forest department team seized all poaching equipment used in the illegal activity. Furthermore, for violating the stringent provisions of wildlife protection laws, the offenders were slapped with a combined fine of Rs 20,000. This case underscores the ongoing vigilance of forest officials in protecting Tamil Nadu's biodiversity and the serious legal repercussions for those who flout wildlife regulations.
