Instagram hunting videos lead to wildlife case

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Videos posted on Instagram allegedly showing the hunting and killing of monitor lizards with the help of domestic dogs have led to the arrest of a man from Bhadradri Kothagudem district and his remand to judicial custody. The action followed a communication received from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Southern Region, Chennai, concerning videos uploaded on the Instagram account ‘Chanti Local’ (@yasaChanti). Acting on the information, forest officials identified the person allegedly involved in the videos and registered a case under the relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Monitor lizards are protected under Schedule I of the Act, placing them among wildlife species receiving the highest level of legal protection. Officials identified the accused as Yasa Chanti, a resident of Ulvanoor village, falling under the Regulagudem section of Yanambail range. Forest officials produced Chanti before the First Class Magistrate’s Court at Kothagudem on Monday. Considering the seriousness of the alleged wildlife offence, the court remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody. He was subsequently sent to Bhadrachalam Sub-Jail, officials said.