In a major jolt to wildlife in State, a carcass of blackbuck was found in a field at the Barkheda Salam village on Tuesday. There is a suspicion that the animal was shot and has been poached, as indicated by a bullet-like wound on its body. The post-mortem of the animal is awaited which will further solidify or falsify the claims. The carcass is estimated to be around 15 to 20 hours old, suggesting that the poaching occurred likely at night, though the poacher did not remove the body. On Tuesday morning, authorities received information about the dead blackbuck lying in a field in Barkheda Salam village, located on the outskirts of the city near Bhauri village. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Rajesh Khare, Chief Conservator of Forests, confirmed that the forest team retrieved the blackbuck’s carcass from Barkheda Salam.

 

“The animal was an adult and had a deep wound near its neck, while no other signs of injuries were found on the body. Investigations are going on to gather more information about the incident and identify those responsible for the poaching. The post-mortem report is expected to come within two to three days which may provide a ground to the suspicions or give clarity to the incident,” he said. The Chief Conservator of Forests emphasised that a strict action will be action in this regard. A panel of two doctors conducted the post-mortem and the report will be submitted to the Forest Department. This raises suspicions of poaching, with indications that a bullet was indeed involved. The forest team transported the body to the district veterinary hospital in Bhopal later that afternoon for a post-mortem examination. According to information, doctors conducted the autopsy, after which the Forest Department arranged for the cremation of the carcass.