In connection with carcasses of leopard and deer that were found in Film City at Goregaon, the police have arrested five men on Friday, including three people who live in tribal hamlets in Aarey Milk Colony and two from around Film City.
The decomposed carcasses were found near a TV show set, a few days ago. This incident brought to light how the area had become a poaching den, with 30 active wire snares.
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Based on a tip-off, the team first arrested Rahul Habade (25) who revealed names of Anil Bhoye (32) and Ganpat Dalvi (31). Two others – Dashrat Habade (32) and Mohan Bhoye (20) – have also been arrested. They have been booked under the violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the magistrate court has sent them to the forest department’s custody until Monday.
Commenting on the same Jitendra Ramgaokar, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Thane Territorial Wing of the Forest Department has said that they sought 10-days custody, but they got three days. He further added the accused have accepted that they set up the wire snares to trap animals but did not reveal the reason.
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M K Rao, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (west), State Forest Department further said that the arrested men sold the meat to make quick money. He added that after trapping the leopard, they removed the nails and sold them for a higher value.
Meanwhile, forest officers are searching for more active snare traps, especially in the Aarey Colony.