a crucial breakthrough was made by the forest department in Dehra Dun when they arrested poachers involved in illegal trade in endangered species using fake animal products to mislead enforcement agencies and cover up the clandestine sale of genuine animal products like tiger and leopard skins and rare rhino horns. According to the director of the Wildlife Institute of India ( wii), S K Mukherjee, the real animal skins were often passed on as 'harmless fakes' by the poachers. He said authorities recently seized 'tiger skin' with a mounted head. A close examination showed that it was a fake, made from the hair of horse's mane. Incisors from a dog were ingeniously embedded in the head to make it look like the tooth of the tiger, said Mukherjee.
In another case, forest authorities arrested some persons found smuggling rhino horn at Jamshedpur. Investigations revealed that the horn had come from Bangladesh and was nothing but a piece of bamboo covered with artificial resin.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.