Five leopard skins seized, one held

One person was arrested today and five leopard skins were seized from him, forest officials said here today.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of forest officials arrested Gopi, Pithoragarh forest ranger B S Almia said.
"During questioning, the smuggler told the officials that he had purchased these skins from locals in Rs 8,000-10,000. The man also said he has connection with other gangs involved in the trade at Kotdwar, Nepal and other parts of the Himalayan region," the ranger said.
Gopi, was was living in Rin Bichula village posing as a blacksmith, has over the years spread his contacts with local youths and persuaded them to kill wild animals, he said.