Forest officials nab two for hunting birds

KAIKALURU (Krishna): The Officials of Kolleru Wildlife Division, of Forest Department conducted surprised raids on Monday and arrested two persons for hunting birds in the protected area in Kolleru Lake. The officials seized seven birds from the possession of the poachers and the two were taken into custody. With a tipoff from the villagers on the killing of birds in the sanctuary by hunters, one team led by assistant conservator of forest (ACF) of Kaikalur sub-division K Vinod Kumar raided at Pallevada village of Kaikalur mandal and arrested Punga Yesu Ratnam and P. Vijaya Raju on Monday. "The accused hunted five large whistling teals and two common teals. All the seven birds were seized from predators and sent to ACF office. The natives of Pallevada village poisoned the birds through feeding grains and millets. We are trying to find out whether there are any other accused involved in hunting," said the ACF official. Kaikalur base camp beat guard Rajesh, Alapadu assistant beat officer Lazarus and other forest guards participated in the raid. Cases have been registered against the accused under Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Vinod Kumar said.