Animal carcasses seized in Arunachal Pradesh town

The officials found the carcasses of a wild cat, a big flying squirrel and five small ones, two each of squirrel and wild cock packed in sacks yesterday.

The sacks were found in daily market, golden market and Gandhi market areas of Daporijo, the district headquarters, official sources said here today.

The abandoned sacks were found during a routine patrol carried out in the town by a team led by Range Forest Officer (RFO) Kali Paja.

In this connection, a case was registered against unknown persons under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

If caught and convicted, a person is liable to be imprisoned for seven years with a fine of Rs 2 lakh, the sources said.

Advising the people to desist from hunting wild animals, the RFO said it was difficult to stop the practice of hunting wild animals totally as it was a traditional practice in the state.

"Besides this, wild animals are used for medicinal purpose by the locals or considered as delicacies and hence there is a demand for them", the RFO said.

As part of its conservation efforts, he called for creating an awareness on the importance of wildlife.