Published Jun 30, 2025 | 6:07 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 30, 2025 | 6:07 PM
Poacher arrested, 9 deer carcasses seized in major wildlife operation near Bannerghatta
Forest officials from the Bengaluru Urban Division arrested a man involved in deer poaching near Bannerghatta Road and seized two cars, a bike, two guns, and large quantities of venison during a special operation on Sunday.
Acting on confirmed reports that a gang was illegally hunting deer in the forests of Kolar and Bannerghatta and selling the meat, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre had directed the department to take immediate action. A joint team from the Bengaluru Urban Forest Division and the Vigilance Squad then intercepted a suspicious vehicle (KA 05 AG 1302) near the Bannerghatta-NICE Road junction.
Inside, officials discovered the carcasses of four spotted deer and one wild boar. One suspect, identified as Pratap (31), was taken into custody. During questioning, he revealed the existence of a storage shed in C.K. Palya containing more illegal game meat.
A raid on the shed uncovered additional deer carcasses and meat, along with a bike, another car (Indica), one double-barrel and one single-barrel gun, 10 live cartridges, and a total haul of 9 deer, 1 wild boar, and 74 kg of venison.
The shed owner, Bheemappa, along with associates Balaraju and Ramesh, are currently absconding. A manhunt is underway. A case has been filed under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act.
The operation was led by Chief Conservator of Forests Sivashankar, Deputy Conservator of Forests Ravindra Kumar, and Assistant Conservator of Forests Ganesh.
