Jaisalmer: The Forest Department has arrested three men for allegedly hunting wild animals, including a fox and a rabbit, near Swangiya Mata Temple in Gajroopsagar area of Kishanghat in Jaisalmer. Both animals were found in a semi-conscious condition and later died despite medical treatment.Three accused were arrested late Thursday evening after a tip-off about illegal hunting near a temple. A Forest Department team raided and cordoned off the area before apprehending them.On Friday, they were produced before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody.Jaisalmer Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kumar Shubham said the department had received specific information that some people were hunting rare wildlife in Gajroopsagar area near Swangiya Mata Temple.Acting on the information, a team from the Jaisalmer Forest Range, under the supervision of Regional Forest Officer Shyam Sunder Nagora and Assistant Conservator of Forests Dilip Singh Rathore, raided the location and caught the suspects.The accused have been identified as Mularam, Uttamaram and Chandranath, all residents of Jaisalmer district.During the operation, the forest officials recovered a fox and a rabbit in a semi-conscious condition from their possession. Fox is listed under Schedule I and rabbit under the relevant protected schedule of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2022.Considering their critical condition, the animals were immediately shifted to a veterinary hospital for treatment. A medical team from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) was also called in to assist in their rescue and treatment. However, despite the efforts of the veterinary experts, both animals succumbed to their injuries and died during treatment.The Forest Department also seized a traditional wildlife trapping device known as ‘Kud’, other equipment allegedly used for hunting, and two motorcycles from the accused. A case has been registered against them under the relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and they were questioned in detail.DFO Kumar Shubham said illegal hunting and wildlife crimes pose a serious threat to biodiversity and ecological balance. The department is maintaining regular patrolling and surveillance to prevent such activities.He appealed to the public to immediately inform the nearest Forest Department office or concerned officials about illegal hunting, wildlife trafficking or any suspicious activity in forest areas.
