Kerala: Five more arrested for hunting pregnant Indian Gaur

Five more persons were arrested by the forest officials on Monday in connection with the case of shooting and hunting down a pregnant gaur. The department had earlier arrested one person in the case.

Malappuram: Five more persons, who have been arrested by the forest officials here on Monday in connection with the case of shooting and hunting down a pregnant gaur (Indian Bison), were produced before the magistrate on Wednesday.

The forest department had earlier arrested Suresh Babu, a native of Puncha and remanded to judicial custody.

Abu alias Nanippa (47), Muhammed Busthan (30), Muhammed Ansif (23), Ashiq (27) and Suhail (28), all natives of Puncha in Malappuram District have been arrested on Monday.

Based on a tip-off, the Forest department officials had raided Abu’s house on the night of August 10.

The officials seized about 25 kilograms of meat from Abu’s house. Abu had shot the pregnant gaur.

When they cut the gaur’s stomach to share the meat among them, they found the fully-grown foetus inside. The tools used for hunting the animal and parts of the foetus were also found.

The culprits showed the skeletal and other remains of the animal to the officials while gathering evidence, which they had disposed of in the forest.

The gaur’s remains were examined by veterinarian Dr K N Noushadali. Further investigation is underway.

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