The man made Reels of him catching monitor lizards and posted them on Instagram.
Published Jul 22, 2024 | 12:23 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 22, 2024 | 12:23 PM
Screengrab from youtuber video trapping Monitor Lizard
Officials of the Telangana Forest Department are searching for a man, suspected to be hunting protected wild animals, and posting videos of his illegal acts on social media.
Mirza Kareem, Founder of the Forests and Wildlife Protection Society (FAWPS), flagged the videos and demanded immediate action against the YouTuber, who posts Reels under, My Mission 1.
Telangana’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Elusing Meru said the department was trying to track the YouTuber.
“There were cases where the makers of the Reels were seen capturing wildlife. We are responsible for protecting the species. We have booked one such person. Our officials have found a person making Reels on Instagram, and based on the video evidence, took action against the person,” he told South First.
This YT channel https://t.co/XwNeFwVOST from Telangana is repeatedly hunting protected species and uploading videos. Requesting @TelanganaCOPs @pargaien @dobriyalrm @KMuraliSurekha to take immediate action and book them under relevant sections of law. @BaluPulipaka pic.twitter.com/OFJ3YUnQv5
— Forests And Wildlife Protection Society-FAWPS 🇮🇳 (@FawpsIndia) July 15, 2024
Meanwhile, My Mission 1 removed the videos of hunting endangered animals.
Initially, when Kareem shared the link, the video showed the YouTuber laying traps for monitor lizards and catching one. He was seen weighing the reptile and saying that he would catch a bigger one next time.
Though monitor lizards fall under the ‘least concern’ category on the IUCN Red List of threatened species, South Indian states have banned their capture under the Protected Species Act.
Kareem, meanwhile, questioned the delay in detaining the YouTuber despite having advanced technology.
The forest department said it launched Catch The Trap on 1 December 2023 to protect wildlife from hunting. Patrol teams have been asked to check persons earlier associated with illegal hunting.
Following the vigil, the department came across instances of people erecting electric traps that kill animals.
Forest Department data shared with South First revealed a decrease in the electrocution of wild animals in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Within six months of launching ‘Catch The Trap’, only three cases were registered till 20 June. In 2021, 18 cases were registered, followed by 15 in 2022 and 21 in 2023.
A total of 152 wild animals died of various causes — natural, accidental, and hunting — between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024. The animals included two tigers, three leopards, two sloth bears, as many gaurs, and 143 other herbivores and mammals. In 2024, 32 animals were killed in Amrabad and Kawal tiger reserves, including Rajanna Sircilla, Khammam, Yadadari, Basara, and Karimnagar.
The Forest Department also booked over 30 individuals in 24 cases between 1 April and 6 June 2024. Cases of packs of dogs hunting spotted deer were also reported during this period.
Meru said attacks by dogs were a serious issue, especially in enclosed areas like parks or campuses like that of the University of Hyderabad.
“Once we get the information, we catch the dogs in urban areas with the assistance from municipal bodies. More teams have been formed now as children are often becoming victims,” he said.
“There are also instances in which dogs caught were released into forests. Our district officials are in contact with municipal authorities to make them desist from such actions as there is also the likelihood of spreading diseases apart from kills,” he added.
(Edited by Majnu Babu)
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