Three detained in connection with recovery of eight peacock carcasses

Three persons have been detained for interrogation by the Forest Department following the recovery of carcasses of eight peacocks from the agriculture fields located on the outskirts of Bhojde village on the periphery of Gir Forest.

Three persons have been detained for interrogation by the Forest Department following the recovery of carcasses of eight peacocks from the agriculture fields located on the outskirts of Bhojde village on the periphery of Gir Forest. They have been identified as Narshi Gopal, Dinesh Naran and Chino Koli, who worked as labourers on the agriculture land owned by Kala Ahir, Uka Ahir, and Menasi Ahir.

Talala range forest officer B K Parmar said: “Two of the six carcasses had been partly eaten by wild animals. Though the veterinary doctor from Sasan (Gir) Forest headquarters carried out a postmortem, the exact cause of death has not been ascertained. The viscera of the birds have been dispatched to the Junagadh Forensic Science Laboratory for a detailed clinical examination.”

He said since the three have denied any role in the death of the birds, they are awaiting the FSL report.

“We will take appropriate action once we get the report. The peacock is a Schedule-I bird; the killing of which is punishable with imprisonment up to 3 to 7 years. Beside, the peacock is a our national bird and has to be protected,” said Parmar.

Lioness attacks farmer

A farmer was attacked by a lioness when he was working in the fields on the outskirts of Jetalwad village near Visavadar town on Friday. The man, who has been identified as Dhirubhai Bhalala (45), received injuries on his left hand, leg and chest. He was immediately rushed to the Junagadh Civil Hospital and is being treated at the trauma ward. Doctors treating him have declared him to be out of danger. Bhalala said at the hospital: “I was cutting grass on my land, when all of sudden a lioness appeared in the fields, and before I could understand what was happening, it pounced upon me. However, I shouted for help and somehow managed to wriggle out from her grip.”