In a major crackdown on wildlife crime, a joint operation by the Commissioner’s Task Force (Golconda Team) and the Forest Department led to the arrest of six individuals involved in illegal hunting in the forest regions of Shadnagar and Makthal.
According to officials, the accused were caught hunting protected wildlife species such as deer, peacocks (India’s national bird), rabbits, quail, and doves. They reportedly used airguns for hunting and recorded their activities on mobile phones.
During the operation, authorities seized multiple items including four airguns, a licensed .30-06 Non-Prohibited Bore sporting rifle along with 20 live rounds, a Scorpio vehicle, eight mobile phones, airgun pellets, and a knife used to process the hunted animals. The total value of the seized property is estimated to be around ₹8 lakh.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the group had been actively involved in illegal hunting for over a year. The accused allegedly consumed the meat and disposed of animal remains in nearby canal backwaters to avoid detection.
A case has been registered under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The arrested individuals have been handed over to the Forest Range Officer of the Hyderabad East Range for further legal proceedings.
Officials stated that the operation was conducted under the supervision of senior officers from the Commissioner’s Task Force, Hyderabad City, highlighting continued efforts to curb wildlife crimes and protect biodiversity in the region.
