Pune: The Forest Department of Pune successfully conducted a raid in Bhilarwadi, Haveli taluka, leading to the seizure of illegally trafficked wildlife items, including ambergris (commonly known as whale vomit) and the horns of a Chinkara (Indian gazelle).
The operation, carried out at Nisarg Hotel, exposed the illegal trade, and two individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.
Acting on a tip-off, Forest Department officials raided the hotel and recovered ambergris valued at approximately ₹75 lakh and Chinkara horns estimated to be worth ₹25,000. The seizure highlights the continued illegal demand for wildlife products in the region.
The accused, identified as Hemrao Sikandar Mehta from Balajinagar and Hrithik Navnath Lekurwale from Thergaon, have been charged under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. They were presented in court and have been remanded to police custody until December 2.
The raid was conducted under the leadership of Assistant Conservator of Forests Mangesh Tathe and Forest Range Officer Suresh Varak.
They were supported by a team comprising Forest Division Officers Vishal Yadav, Pramod Raskar, Vaibhav Babar, and forest guards Sambhaji Gaikwad, Anil Rathod, Rajkumar Jadhav, Shriram Jagtap, Omkar Gund, and Vinayak Tathe.
The department emphasized its commitment to curbing wildlife crimes and protecting endangered species through such swift actions.