Coimbatore Forest Department officials have recovered an elephant tusk from a park in Veerapandi, believed to be hidden by a six-member gang arrested in May for illegal wildlife trade.
Coimbatore: The Forest Department of Coimbatore district has successfully recovered an elephant tusk that was allegedly concealed by a six-member gang involved in illegal wildlife trade. The tusk was discovered on Tuesday in a park at Veerapandi near Periyanaickenpalayam, marking a significant breakthrough in an ongoing investigation.
The recovery of the tusk is directly linked to an operation conducted by the Forest Department on May 29, 2024, which resulted in the arrest of six individuals. The arrested persons were identified as Sarvesh Babu (46) from Keeranatham, Sangeetha (41) from Gudalur, Vignesh (31) from Idayarpalayam, Loganathan (38) from Vellalore, Arul Arokiyam (42) from Nagamanaickenpalayam, and Balamurugan (47).
During the May operation, the Forest Department acted on specific intelligence suggesting that the gang was planning to sell an elephant tusk. While the arrests were made successfully, the tusk itself remained elusive at the time, leaving a crucial piece of evidence missing.
The breakthrough came during the subsequent investigation when forest officials received specific information about the tusk's location. Acting swiftly on this lead, a team of forest officials conducted a thorough search of the park at Veerapandi on Tuesday, ultimately leading to the recovery of the hidden tusk.
The case has drawn attention to the ongoing issue of elephant poaching and the illegal ivory trade in the region. Elephants, being a protected species in India, are often targeted for their tusks, which command high prices in the illegal wildlife market.
Forest Department officials have stated that the investigation is ongoing, and they are working to uncover any potential wider network involved in this illegal trade. The recovery of the tusk is expected to provide valuable evidence and potentially lead to further arrests or discoveries.
Local wildlife conservationists have praised the Forest Department's persistent efforts in this case. They emphasize that such recoveries are crucial not only for prosecuting wildlife criminals but also for dismantling the networks that sustain the illegal wildlife trade.
As the case proceeds, the Forest Department has reiterated its commitment to protecting the region's wildlife and urged the public to report any suspicious activities related to wildlife crime. The department also stressed the importance of community involvement in conservation efforts and the fight against poaching.
The recovered tusk will likely undergo further forensic examination to gather additional evidence. The results of these tests, combined with the ongoing investigation, are expected to play a crucial role in the prosecution of the arrested individuals and in the broader fight against wildlife crime in the region.