Shivamogga: Forest officials have cracked a wildlife crime case involving the death of a young bear in Yadehalli village, Holehonnuru hobli.Acting on intelligence, an operation was launched under the leadership of Bhadravathi division DCF Ravindra Kumar and Channagiri subdivision ACF Shridhar Tegginamani, led on the ground by Shantisagara RFO Lakshman Naik T Chauhan and his team. The investigation revealed that the landowner, identified as Govindappa, son of the late Kannappa and a resident of Doddaseege, had allegedly illegally wired a direct high-voltage electric fence around his arecanut plantation.An approximately three-year-old male bear was electrocuted after coming into contact with the fence. In an attempt to cover up the crime, the accused buried the bear’s carcass in a trench inside his farm, officials said. Forest officers traced the location on Saturday, recovered the carcass, and booked the accused under Sections 9 and 39 (read with Sections 2(16), 36, 50, and 51) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, foresters said.Govindappa was presented before a local court in Bhadravathi and has been remanded to judicial custody. An autopsy was performed by wildlife veterinarian Muruli Manohar.
