DFO suspects national gang behind Gir poaching incident

Junagadh, Mar 31 (UNI) Deputy Conservator of Forest B L Shukla today said a gang of poachers were involved in the poaching of two male lions and a cub.

The carcasses of these animals were found yesterday from Barbaria range of the sanctuary in a mutilated condition with their claws and skins removed by poachers.

In a telephonic conversation with UNI, he said they suspected that a national gang was behind the incident.

He said the forest officials and CID crime branch were investigating the matter.

He, however, admitted that there was a shortage of manpower in dealing with the menace of poachers.

Gujarat Forest Minister Mangubhai Patel, Home Minister Amit Shah and top police officials today rushed to the Gir Sanctuary to assess the situation after the carcasses were recovered yesterday.

This is the second such incident in a month's time. Earlier on March 3, two lionesses and a cub were hunted down in the Babaria range.

UNI