Three arrested at Padgha for selling barking deer

Sources from the forest department said the accused have confessed that they got the barking deer from the forest in Shahapur

The forest department at Padgha has arrested three people for selling a barking deer or Indian muntjac. Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) Gajendra Hire said, "A few days back, we had received a tip-off from our sources about a group trying to sell a barking deer. Our forest department officials from the Padgha range laid down a trap by posing as potential buyers and arrested three persons who were trying to sell a fawn of barking deer. A case regarding the same has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and investigation is in progress."

A barking deer

The accused, identified as Ramesh Tukaram Walimbe, Barku Ganpat Hilam and Ganesh Gurunath Wagh, were arrested by the forest department on January 24 near the Paramount Hotel, which falls under the jurisdiction of the village. During the operation, two motorcycles used by the accused were seized.

Range forest officer Shailesh Deore told mid-day that all the three accused arrested in the case are residents of Alyani village, Shahapur. According to officers, the barking deer is around three-four months of age. Sources from the forest department said the accused have confessed that they got the barking deer from the forest in the Shahapur.

According to animalia.bio website, Indian muntjac deer, also known as the Mastreani deer, are small and mainly found in Southern Asia. Indian muntjac deer are among the oldest known deer species, with their fossils dating back 15 to 35 million years ago. There are 12 known species in this group of deer, as well as several subspecies, and they have unique features like canine tusks and small antlers.