Officials are examining an alleged link between a wildlife conservation organisation and a poaching network. New Delhi: The seizure of 10 leopard skins on a highway in Uttar Pradesh has led to an investigation in Madhya Pradesh.
Wildlife SOS, an NGO that works to protect and rescue wildlife, particularly animals affected by illegal captivity, trafficking, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict, had at the time credited its Forest Watch unit with helping track the operation. But the story changed after the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) began tracing where the skins had come from. The case began on July 23, when four suspected poachers were arrested on the Gwalior-Agra highway with 10 alleged leopard skins. Investigators arrested alleged wildlife trader Bhagwan Singh, alias Salim, on August 11 and his associate, Wasim, two days later.
Both were associated with the NGO, with Singh reportedly on its payroll for at least five years, according to the Madhya Pradesh forest department.
The investigation is also examining the possibility that the trapping network could have affected other protected animals. Forest officials have not ruled out the possibility that tigers may also have been caught, although tiger presence in parts of the Shivpuri forest area is described as sporadic. One theory being examined is that such seizures could help build an anti-poaching profile, which in turn could strengthen an organisation’s appeal to donors and grant-making bodies. That is an allegation under investigation, not an established finding. The probe is also likely to raise questions about the way Wildlife SOS operates rescue facilities in different states.
Founded by Satyanarayan and Geeta Seshamani in 1995, the organisation works with state governments through memorandums of understanding (MoU) and runs several wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facilities.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Wildlife Warden Sameeta Rajoura said the state is coordinating with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) as the investigation progresses.
