Pune: In a significant action against illegal hunting, the Forest Department arrested two individuals for hunting a wild hare in the Kusgaon forest area (Bhor Taluka).

The accused have been booked under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and authorities have seized hunting equipment and a dead wild hare from their possession.

The Nasrapur Forest Range officials had received a tip-off about wildlife poaching in the Kusgaon forest area. Acting on the information, a raid was conducted on the morning of 22nd February (Saturday). During the operation, the officials caught two hunters — Shankar Dagdu Jadhav (Age 48, Resident of Kondhanpur, Taluka Haveli), and Anil Manohar Chaudhary (Age 30, Resident of Kusgaon).

Upon interrogation, it was discovered that the accused were using explosives to hunt wild animals. The impact of these explosives caused fatal injuries to two Doberman breed pet dogs belonging to Abhijit Bhaskar Konde, a resident of Kusgaon. The dogs sustained severe injuries to their mouths and died.

Further search led to the recovery of an explosive shell intended for hunting purposes. The Rajgad Police were immediately informed, and the seized explosives were handed over to the police station, where they were later safely destroyed.

This joint operation was successfully conducted by the Forest Department in collaboration with Rajgad Police. Further investigation into the matter is being carried out by the Nasrapur Forest Department.