Mayabunder, Oct. 15: A Wildlife Offence in respect of elephant tusk (as claimed by police) case has been detected by the Central Crime Station, Port Blair and was handed over to the Range Officer Mayabunder on Sept. 30 for taking further action. On the same day, the Range Officer, Mayabunder intimated about the seizure of property to the CJM Court Mayabunder. The Court registered a Criminal Case against the offence.

Meanwhile, the samples seized were sent to Sr. Veterinary Officer, Webi, Mayabunder for its analysis. The Senior Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Hospital, Webi has reported that the sample produced is not ivory.  The sample appears as bone and not the tusk of an Elephant. The case is under investigation and further necessary action will be taken as per the provision of the law, a communication from the Divisional Forest Officer, Mayabunder Division said.

Meanwhile in order to address wildlife & forests related offences, a swift action group namely ‘wildlife protection squad’ has been constituted in the Department of Environment & Forests under the overall In-charge of Shri Ayyub Hassan, ACF (WL). The squad will be operational on 24 hrs basis and would liaise with concerned authorities for prompt action.

The general public have been requested to pass on the information relating to Wildlife & Forest offence to the Wildlife Protection Squad Control Room no.03192-245229, Assistant Conservator of Forests (WL) WLL no. 03192-200659 and Range Officer (WPS) no.03192-200661.