Meghalaya Forest Rangers Seize Elephant Tusks and Pangolin Scales

Shillong: Forest rangers in Meghalaya busted an illegal wildlife trade ring in Ri Bhoi district. They made four arrests after recovering four elephant tusks and a haul of pangolin scales. Both operations relied on intelligence from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.

On July 18, the Nongpoh Wildlife Range team stopped two men on Umwang Road. They found four tusks believed to come from Asiatic elephants. Tras Khymdeit and Wilshon Khymdeit, both locals, now face charges under the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972.

Officers struck again on August 2 at Shakhoikuna Village. They caught suspects carrying two bags filled with pangolin scales. Benedick Khymdeit of Ri Bhoi and Rupai Ingti of Kamrup, Assam, were arrested at the scene. A third person escaped the net. The department stated, "The illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife derivatives poses a serious threat to biodiversity and the country's natural heritage."

Cases remain open at the Nongpoh Wildlife Range. Officials are hunting for more members of the poaching network. The department wants the public to report any signs of hunting or transport of illegal animal goods to the nearest office.