Pune: In a major action against wildlife crime, the Pune forest department seized around 640 kg of wild boar meat from the parcel section of Pune railway station on Thursday.
Acting on a tip-off received on the same day, a special team of forest officials carried out the operation under the guidance of conservator of forests (territorial) Ashish Thakare, deputy conservator of forests Mahadev Mohite, divisional forest officer and assistant conservator of forests Vishal Chavan.
The team intercepted seven large boxes containing wild boar meat that had arrived from Nanded by the Panvel Express. The meat was allegedly being transported for illegal sale. The consignment was seized and an accused has been taken into custody.
A forest offence has been registered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Wild boar is listed under Schedule II of the Act, and hunting or selling its meat is a punishable offence. Further investigation is underway.