18th May, 2004

Information provided by the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) helped the Kerala Forest Department to arrest a man with a fresh leopard skin near Bungalow, Muthanga Range, under Wynad Wildlife Division. Four men had been rounded up with the skin but unfortunately the understaffed Forest Department team managed to arrest only one. The operation was carried out under the able supervision of Range Officers Mr. A.K. Gopalan and Mr. Suresh. A POR has been registered in Muthanga Forest Range Office

The accused confessed that the animal had been killed in Muthanga itself some 20 days ago. It seems that the claws had been removed and sold separately. Names of various traders had also come up during the investigation. Leads provided by the accused during interrogation, regarding other traders, are being followed.