In a significant wildlife crime case, police in Dang have arrested three individuals for possessing the skin of a rare Bengal tiger. The operation took place in Lamahi Municipality, where authorities acted swiftly based on confidential information.
Who Was Arrested?
The arrested suspects have been identified as:
- Keshavraj Sen Thakuri, 53, from Rajpur Rural Municipality Ward No. 1
- Bikram Budhamagar, 41, from Lamahi Ward No. 6
- Banil Tharu, 33, from Bardiya District
These individuals are now under police custody for further investigation.
How the Tiger Skin Was Found
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Chakrabahadur Shah from the District Police Office, Dang, the arrest was made following a tip-off about an illegal wildlife trade attempt.
A police team led by Inspector Roshanraj Pandey from the Ward Police Office in Lamahi carried out a midnight raid on Sunday at the residence of Bikram Budhamagar. During the search, the police discovered a Bengal tiger skin hidden inside a plastic zebra-striped bag.
The skin was measured to be 9 feet and 2 inches long, stretching from the tiger’s head to its tail. This indicates that it belonged to a fully grown adult tiger.
Further Investigation Underway
The police are continuing their investigation to find out the source of the tiger skin and whether more individuals are involved in this illegal trade.
Authorities have also reminded the public that the Bengal tiger is a protected species in Nepal, and any trade or possession of its parts is a serious criminal offense under the country’s wildlife protection laws.
