Man held for possessing heads of two spotted deer

A 40-year-old farmer was arrested by the Forest Department in Vellore on Wednesday for possession of the heads of two spotted deer.

Forest officials said that based on tip-off, a team of forest officials led by K. Venkatachalam, forest range officer (Odugathur), Vellore forest division, conducted a surprise check at the houses in Varadalampattu village that comes under Anaicut panchayat union in the district. The village is located at the foothills of Jawadhu Hills near Amirthi zoo.

As part of the searches, a forest team searched the house of the suspect R. Bhoopathi, 40, a farmer, and seized two heads of spotted deer with horns. They were found hanging on the wall in the house.

The forest team arrested Bhoopathi immediately. During investigation, Bhoopathi told forest officials that he used to roam in nearby forest areas regularly. During such a visit, he found the carcass of two spotted deer heads with horns a few years ago. He quietly brought the carcass to his house and hung them on the wall, without realising that his act was a criminal offence. Following the seizure of the carcass, a case was registered against him under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. A probe is underway.