Jaisalmer: A suspected poaching incident involving protected Chinkara deer was reported in Pabupura village under Samdari police station limits in Balotra district, where villagers alleged that 8-10 deer were hunted by poachers. The incident reportedly took place early Sunday morning.Villagers and wildlife activists claimed they recovered two dead Chinkaras after chasing a group of suspected poachers who were allegedly transporting the hunted animals in a pickup vehicle. According to villagers, the suspected hunters arrived in a pickup and a Thar vehicle and were seen moving around the village. After residents noticed the vehicles, they alerted wildlife activists and began chasing them. The suspected poachers allegedly dumped two deer carcass on the roadside and fled in the pickup when they realised they were being followed.Villagers continued the chase for nearly 3km on motorcycles and managed to stop the pickup. The occupants abandoned the vehicle and escaped. The villagers then informed forest department ranger Umrao Singh.They alleged that the ranger arrived nearly five hours later and attempted to take the carcasses away in his private vehicle, triggering anger among wildlife activists. The protesters accused the ranger of attempting to destroy evidence and alleged possible collusion with the poachers.Wildlife activists and villagers protested for 40 hours. The protest was called off after DFO Savita Dahiya reached the protest site Monday and held discussions with the protesting villagers. Balotra ACF Chandrashekhar Kaushik said forest department teams have detained two suspects. A probe is on in the matter.
