Shivamogga: Forest Department officials have busted an alleged owl trading racket in Sorab taluk and arrested nine people in this connection. They seized an owl, a car and four bikes from the arrested.
The accused have been identified as Abdul Azim, Annappa Dyavasa, Mruthyunjaya Tuduneeru, Maruthi Chittur, Ajjappa Karekoppa, Hanumanthappa, Raju Yelukoti, Shivamurthy and Kamalakar. While Azim hails from Shiragodu village in Haveri district, the rest are from Sorab taluk.
According to the forest officials, Azim had shared his contact number with people from hamlets on the fringes of the forest in Anavatti and requested them to provide information regarding the presence of owls in the vicinity. The arrested had even offered them money in exchange for the information.
The Forest Department officials have arrested Azim for allegedly purchasing owls. Based on the information provided by him, the remaining eight people were arrested.
The Forest Department officials have said that owls were being purchased from locals at a price of Rs 4 lakh and then sold in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and New Delhi for Rs 15-20 lakh.
It is alleged that those performing black magic were buying the birds from them. Its body parts were being used to perform rituals.
Based on the information provided by the arrested, an owl was seized from the house of one Manjunath, who is also said to be part of the racket in Basur village in Sorab taluk. However, Manjunath escaped and the Forest Department officials have launched a manhunt for him.
The arrested were said to be also involved in illegal trading of loris and two-headed snakes. Cases under The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, have been booked against them.
