Coimbatore, Dec. 05
In a yet another case of wildlife poaching around the Singanallur Lake, here volunteers of the Centre for Urban Biodiversity Conservation and Education (CUBE) at the lake, have spotted a few poachers hunting palm squirrels with traps.
Close to three men were found with dead palm squirrels at the western bund of the lake. However, they escaped before officials from the Forest Department could arrive.
According to the volunteers, when they were on their regular visit to water the miyawaki plantation by the lake, they saw three men near a tree.
While one was on a tree, two others were standing under it collecting the squirrels. Two traps were also set up near the tree.
Even as the volunteers were enquiring the men, they reportedly managed to escape along with a bag. “This is going on for many days in the lake, but we could not find them. Today, they were caught red handed, yet, managed to run away,” said a volunteer.
The volunteer further added that along with squirrels, francolins, hares, mangoose, quails and other birds are being hunted in the lake by unidentified men.
“We have lodged many complaints with the Forest Department regarding the issue,” another volunteer added.
Reacting to the issue, District Forest Officer, N. Satheesh said that field staff from the department would be posted in the area to check for more such traps and also for regular monitoring.
“We have received the photos of the poachers and will take action against them under the Wildlife Protection Act,” he added.
He further urged general public and nature lovers to inform the Department about any such instances in the future, assuring that strict actions would be taken against the perpetrators.
It may be noted that two men were caught hunting painted storks in the lake around six months ago. They also ran away with the booty.