Special Correspondent
Pune: In a significant crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, officers from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Pune unit intercepted three individuals involved in the illegal trade of leopard skin in Akot, Akola district, Maharashtra. The operation followed specific intelligence and led to the recovery of one leopard skin, in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Based on a tip-off, the DRI officers kept the suspects under surveillance and successfully apprehended them after a brief chase in the forested area of Akot. The arrested individuals included two carriers and one mediator, all of whom were attempting to trade the leopard skin.
The recovered leopard skin, measuring 80.5 inches by 25 inches, was seized under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The Act prohibits the trade, sale, purchase, or possession of leopard skin or any body part of the animal, as leopards are listed under Schedule I of the Act, offering them the highest level of protection.
The seized leopard skin and the three suspects have been handed over to the District Forest Division, Akola, for further investigation and legal action under the Wildlife Protection Act.
