Assam: Suspected rhino poacher arrested, animal body parts recovered

Guwahati, May 4 A suspected rhino poacher was arrested in Assam’s Sonitpur district, an official said on Friday, adding that an illegal nexus involving trade in animal body parts was busted in a joint operation of the Forest Department and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB). .

The arrested person accused of being involved in rhino poaching was identified as Hanif Ali.

He was arrested from Bharali Chapori area of ​​Sonitpur district on Thursday evening.

Animal body parts, including a rhino horn, were recovered from his possession, officials said.

According to B. Piraisoodan, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Western Assam Wildlife Division, an operation was conducted on Thursday evening after they came to know about an illegal trade in dead bodies.

“There were two other poachers and illegal traders, but they managed to escape. Animal remains have been found along with additional evidence. A manhunt has been launched to arrest them,” Piraisoodan said.

According to the officer, the Wildlife Welfare Association (WWA) received the recovered rhino horn to verify its legitimacy.

He stated: “We are also trying to determine the time and location of the rhino’s death and the removal of its horn.”

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor