Bags with meat found in Gir

22-12-2010
Bags with meat found in Gir
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Bags-with-meat-found-in-Gir/articleshow/7146717.cms

The forest department's beat guards on Tuesday night spotted three people at Machundari dam in Gir forest near Babaria range in Junagadh district carrying bags. On being challenged by the forest department guards, they ran away leaving the bags behind. The bags contained animal meat.

This is the second incident in less than 10 days when forest guards came across suspected poachers. On December 14, a gang of 25 poachers - tribals from Karnataka - was busted in Kodinar, Gir (west).

Confirming the incident, Ramesh Katara, divisional conservator of forests, said, "The forest guards spotted three men dressed in local attire. They were carrying bags with them. On being challenged, they dropped the bags and ran away. The bag contained meat of some small animal - it could be wild boar or a small deer. FSL team has been called to verify the animal. The entire area has been cordoned off. Dog squad has been pressed into service to trace the offenders," Katar said.

It is the same area where six lions had been killed by poachers in March 2007.