Seven individuals have been apprehended following the discovery of leopard skin and nails in the Valsad district of Gujarat, as confirmed by a forest department official on Sunday.
According to Kaprada range forest officer Ankit Patel, the arrests unfolded when two of the suspects were intercepted on Friday while attempting to sell the leopard's skin and nails to an undercover team comprising members of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and local forest department personnel posing as prospective customers.
The remaining accused were subsequently apprehended from different villages within the Kaprada forest range on the same day. The joint operation involved the WCCB and the forest department.
The origins of the leopard carcass trace back to farmland owned by one of the accused. After discovering the deceased leopard, the individuals sought advice from a faith healer, who suggested removing the animal's skin and nails for use in rituals. The motive behind this action was to sell the body parts for rituals, intending to earn money. The accused were actively seeking customers for these items when the WCCB team received a tip-off, leading to their arrest.
Among the arrested individuals are two former sarpanchs (heads) from different villages. Legal action has been taken against them under various sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
