Wildlife smugglers held with leopard pelts

Two wildlife smugglers in possession of three leopard pelts were arrested in Chamoli district, a senior police official said today.
Deewan Singh Patwal and Ramesh Lal were arrested on a tip off from Nagchulakhal area which borders Almora late last night, Chamoli S P, Priti Priyadarshini said.
Three leopard pelts worth Rs 10 lakh have been recovered from their possession, she said.
The accused allegedly hunted leopards with the help of iron gallows, removed their skin, dried them at home and sold them to animal traders from the plains, she said, adding they have been booked under the Wildlife Protection Act.

They are being interrogated to ascertain whether they had links with any big gang of wildlife smugglers as the area is close to the Corbett Tiger Reserve, she said.