Chikkamagaluru: Two of the four youth who posted photographs of hunting a Monitor Lizard (Varanus Bengalensis) on social networking sites a couple of days back, were apprehended by forest and police personnel Tuesday evening. The youth were identified as Praveen and Saifuddin while efforts are on to nab Shashikanth and Naveen, accomplices in the case.
The poaching had occurred in Balehonnur range of Koppa Territorial division of Chikkamagaluru and the offenders were booked under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
Praveen and his friends were in a coffee estate at Halasoor of Balehonnur, Chikkamagaluru on December 31 night and were collecting firewood when they came across a Monitor Lizard under the wood. One of them caught hold of the Lizard by its tail and smashed it on the ground. The four carried the dead lizard to Praveen’s house at Akshay Nagar in Balehonnur and feasted on it.
Each of the partners in the poaching case later posted individual photographs with the dead lizard on social networking sites. Taking note of this, wildlife activist Veeresh brought the matter to the notice of Chief Conservator of Forests, Chikkamagaluru, Range.
