Demoiselle crane hunting: Gujarat Forest Dept. nabs one with 7 dead birds

Devbhumi Dwarka: Forest officials from the Marine National Park in the district arrested one Nadeem Radia after seizing the carcasses of seven demoiselle cranes at Fakira Pir’s shrine along the Dwarka-Mithapur highway.

The Range Forest Officer (RFO) received a tip-off about two individuals attempting to sell dead birds. The forest department quickly assembled multiple teams, including an undercover operative posing as a potential buyer. When the two suspects arrived with the carcasses, Radia was apprehended, while his accomplice managed to flee. A total of seven demoiselle crane carcasses were confiscated by the authorities.

A case has been filed under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, as demoiselle cranes are listed under Schedule 1 of the Act, which bans hunting, trading, or possessing these protected birds and their remains. Radia, a resident of Rupen Bandar, was presented before the court and sent to judicial custody. DeshGujarat