Ooty (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 5: In a crackdown on illegal wildlife hunting, Forest Department officials in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district have arrested two men from Kerala for shooting and killing a wild bison near Ooty. The incident occurred near Kallakorai village, en route to B Maniyatty, where locals discovered the carcass of the animal and alerted authorities
The accused, Aneesh Mon and Nishar from Nilambur in Kerala, were apprehended in Naduvattam after officials tracked a suspicious Kerala-registered vehicle believed to be involved in the incident. Upon interrogation, both men confessed to killing the bison. The forest department has seized their vehicle and the weapons used in the poaching. Two other individuals involved in the crime reportedly fled the scene with a firearm and remain at large.
A post-mortem of the bison was conducted after a veterinarian removed the bullet from the animal’s body, confirming it had been shot.
In response to increased hunting activity, the Forest Department has deployed night patrol units across the Nilgiris. This incident follows a similar one in the Emerald area, where another gang was arrested with weapons in a car. Officials noted that poaching attempts have declined due to intensified patrolling efforts.
Forest officials highlighted that wild bisons have increasingly been spotted near tea gardens and residential areas in Nilgiri. This has led to a surge in illegal hunting, particularly by gangs targeting the regions of Gudalur (Tamil Nadu) and bordering areas of Kerala, driven by demand for bison meat.
In a separate development on May 1, the Tripura Forest Department distributed 58 motorcycles to its frontline staff, including foresters and Forest Range Officers, at an event held at the Tripura State Forest Academy Ground in Hatipara, Agartala. The move is aimed at improving mobility and enhancing patrol efficiency in vulnerable forest areas, particularly for curbing illegal logging and wildlife crimes.