Karkala: Forest officials from the Wildlife Division successfully thwarted an attempt to hunt wildlife in the Kudremukh National Park area.

The incident occurred on January 9 in the jurisdiction of Mullur Forest Investigation Station of Mala village under the Kudremukh Wildlife Division in Karkala taluk. A group of five to six individuals arrived in a car with firearms and traps, allegedly intending to hunt wildlife.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of officials from the Karkala Wildlife Range conducted a raid, arresting one suspect, identified as Pasvim Ali (35) from Katipalla, Mangaluru. The others fled with their car and firearms.

The operation was carried out under the direction of Kudremukh Wildlife Division DFO Shivaram Babu and guidance of ACF Satish N. It was led by Karkala Wildlife Range Forest Officer Shashidhar Gowda Patil, with assistance from Deputy Range Forest Officer Raju L.J., and officers Abhilash S.B., along with forest guards Pakeerappa Gorana Gowdru and Yamanoor, and forest watchers Nithin, Uday, Ajith, Sujith, and Nithin Hegde.

Accused Linked to Past Wildlife Killings

Forest officials revealed that Pasvim Ali was also involved in a case of hunting two bison in the Shankaranarayana Range. A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Arms Act. The accused was presented before the court and has been remanded to judicial custody at Hiriyadka Jail.