Forest Officials Bust Illegal Wildlife Trade Ring, Arrest Four

Four individuals have been arrested for their involvement in the illegal trade of animal organs in Kota, with authorities seizing monitor lizard genitalia, deer antlers, and jackal skin. The bust was carried out by forest officials following inputs from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. The traders face charges under the Wildlife Protection Act.

In a significant breakthrough, forest officials in Kota have arrested four individuals allegedly involved in the illegal trade of animal organs. The officials seized substantial quantities of monitor lizard genitalia, deer antlers, and jackal skin during the operation.

The raid was conducted at four establishments in the Ghantaghar and Gumanpura areas of the city after receiving critical inputs from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) in New Delhi. The seized items included genitalia of monitor lizards, turtle parts, deer antlers, and jackal pelts.

The shops had been using the sale of materials for religious rituals as a cover for their illegal activities, informed Assistant Conservator of Forest, Wildlife, Anurag Kumar Bhatnagar. The arrested traders have been booked under sections 39, 49(B), and 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and will be presented in court on Thursday.

(With inputs from agencies.)