Chhattisgarh Forest Dept Nabs Two Over Bear Claw Smuggling

The Chhattisgarh Forest Department announced the arrest of two individuals accused of extracting four claws from a bear that died in the Marwahi forest area. The department’s team arrived at the scene on September 3 after receiving an alert about the bear’s death, and a subsequent investigation revealed the missing talons on the animal’s right hind paw.

Using a specialized dog squad, officials located the culprits – 54‑year‑old Sudarshan Yadav and 20‑year‑old Suraj Sahis, both residents of Baraur village. The stolen claws were seized, and both men were booked under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

A post‑mortem carried out by veterinarians indicated that the bear’s death was caused by a serious lung infection. After the forensic work, the carcass received a respectful burial. Department officials appealed to the public to avoid meddling with dead wildlife and to report any suspicious activity to forest authorities.