Wildlife crime gang busted in Telangana, six arrested for illegal hunting

Six people were arrested in Telangana for illegally hunting protected animals in forest areas of Shadnagar and Makthal. Police seized weapons and mobile phones used in the crimes. The gang had reportedly been operating for over a year.

Hyderabad: In a major crackdown on wildlife crimes, the Task Force (Golconda Zone), along with the Forest Department, busted a gang involved in illegal hunting of protected animals in forest areas of Shadnagar and Makthal and arrested six persons on Tuesday.

The accused were identified as Mohd Muzzaffar Hussain alias Guddu, Mir Ahmed Amir, Abdullah bin Sahain, Saud bin Mohd Balab, Masood bin Mohd, and K Shekar.

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According to the police, the group had been actively hunting animals such as deer, peacocks, rabbits, quail, and doves using air guns, recording the acts on mobile phones.

Investigations revealed that the gang operated over the past year, repeatedly targeting wildlife in forest zones, often consuming the meat and disposing of remains in nearby canals, including the backwaters of Jurala Project.

Mir Ahmed Amir, a trained shooter associated with the Telangana Rifle Association, possessed the licensed rifle, while K Shekar allegedly guided the group to animal habitats. The gang reportedly hunted multiple deer and even killed peacocks, which are protected as India’s national bird.

Officials seized four air guns, a licensed rifle with 20 live rounds, a car, eight mobile phones, pellets and a knife used in the hunting process.

A case has been registered under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The arrested persons and seized material have been handed over to the Forest Range Officer, Hyderabad East Range, for further investigation.