Six including one minor arrested by RFO for monitor lizard hunting

PANJIM: Six persons were apprehended by RFO Ponda team at Agapur, Ponda today for hunting and killing monitor lizards for the purpose of harvesting their skin and meat.

Three monitor lizards killed by them were also seized. The 6 arrested are Uddo, Kelshi, Salcete residents Pedru Rock Xavier( age 52 years), Narareth Rock Xavier (age 42 years), Martin Josemari Silveira (age 62 years), Agnelo Caitano Gama( age 30 years) , Francisco Salvador Colasco (age 32 years) and one 15-year-old minor.

Monitor lizard is a Schedule-I species animal under Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The arrested accused are habitual hunters and used dogs to chase and kill the monitor lizards informed forest officials. Canoe and other material used during hunting has also been seized.