‘Bushmeat biz behind wild dog poisoning’

The demand for venison (deer meat) is high and efforts to poach tigers are also rampant. The wild dogs have died due to poisoned carcass poachers laid for tigers. The poachers see wild dogs a natural threat for spotted deer population and a nuisance while poaching tigers, and hence targeted wild dogs along with the big cats, informed sources said.

During the investigation into wild dog death cases, the foresters were also able to crack through the local network in which the villagers were helping poachers. So far five people have been booked under cases related to the poisoning of wild dogs and killing of spotted deer. Five wild dogs were found dead in Bokkapuram Vibuthimalai area of Singara range and it’s a rare case to wild dogs being poisoned. The forensic analysis of the carcass revealed poisoning and the dead animals had consumed poisoned spotted deer.

The poachers were not killing spotted deer for a quick buck, but they were also eying tigers for a pricey catch. On December 3, three people were arrested in Gudalur and the investigations are on, the official source said.

“In most of the cases, the poaching of bush meat is not dealt with seriously. The poachers are produced before the judicial magistrate and then left with a fine of Rs 15,000 to 25,000 depending on the case. After a few weeks they return targeting tigers and timber besides the bushmeat,” said a senior state official monitoring wildlife crimes and court proceedings. Poaching a tiger accounts to a mandatory jail term of three years and can extend up to seven years imprisonment but no court has sentenced a poacher for full seven years, the official rued.

“The punishment should be severe and the investigations should be scientific. Further, wildlife crimes and animal welfare norms are not dealt very seriously in India. Only when the poaching is dealt with as a serious crime, the number of wildlife crimes can be brought down. Further, those who buy bush meat should also be compounded under the law,” opined Dowlath Khan, former chief inspector of Madras SPCA.