Deer poaching cases raise concern over suspected venison supply to Hyderabad

Six persons were arrested in Karnataka for allegedly poaching a deer, highlighting a suspected network supplying illegally hunted venison to Hyderabad. Recent cases across Telangana and Maharashtra have raised concerns among wildlife officials over poachers, intermediaries and alleged city-based buyers.

Hyderabad: With the Karnataka Forest Department and Janawada police arresting six persons on charges of poaching a deer near Chondi village in Bidar taluk, the recurring cases have once again highlighted the suspected illegal supply of venison to Hyderabad.

The arrested persons were identified as Sohaib Mallick of Chincholi and Abdul Sahid and Hameed, both from Hyderabad. Police also seized weapons and venison meat from the suspects.

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The latest arrests have brought attention to an alleged network in which poachers enter forest areas in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana, hunt deer and other protected wildlife and transport the meat to Hyderabad for sale.

Sources said the demand for deer meat among some affluent families in Hyderabad has allegedly encouraged such illegal hunting. Venison is reportedly ordered for private get-togethers and other gatherings, with customers allegedly placing advance orders for quantities ranging from 10 to 20 kg.

Suppliers allegedly collect advance payments before heading into forest areas to hunt deer and transport the meat to the city. The suspected supply chain involves hunters, intermediaries and city-based buyers.

The latest case is not an isolated incident. On May 5, 2026, six persons allegedly involved in the illegal hunting of protected wildlife, including deer and peacocks, were arrested in a joint operation by the Commissioner’s Task Force (Golconda) and Forest officials in Shadnagar and Makthal.

In another case on December 30, 2025, the Rajendranagar Special Operations Team arrested Mohammed Irfanuddin in the Attapur area for allegedly selling deer meat. Police raided a premises at Suleman Nagar and seized 15 kg of venison.

In September 2025, two persons, including a doctor, were arrested after 10 kg of deer meat and antlers were seized in connection with a case linked to the Zaheerabad forest. In May 2025, three persons were arrested by the task force for allegedly possessing and distributing deer meat sourced from Maharashtra.

The repeated arrests and seizures have raised concerns among wildlife officials over a cross-border poaching and supply network. Enforcement agencies are now focusing on identifying the hunters, intermediaries, and city-based buyers who allegedly sustain the demand for illegally hunted wildlife.