Bison poached at airport site in Goa

A bison was poached over the weekend at the proposed international airport site at Mopa, 50 km north of this Goan capital, the forest department said Monday.

Officials said the head and hooves of the Gaur or the Indian Bison, Goa's state animal, were found in the forests at the site, which has led officials to believe the animal was hunted down by poachers.

"We have sent the remains for post mortem for more information," Assistant Conservator of Forests Anil Shetgaonkar told reporters here.

The remains were found in the forests at Mopa, which are expected to be developed to build the state's second international airport.

Hunting down bisons, along with deer, sambhar and wild boar, for their meat and skin is not rare in the jungles and hinterland of Goa, where the big herbivore is also found.