MP: Suspected poacher with gun captured on camera trap in Satpura Tiger Reserve’s Tawa buffer range
Narmadapuram: Camera traps in the Tawa Buffer Range of the Satpura Tiger Reserve in MP have captured a suspected poacher. The incident occurred while recording for India's 2026 tiger census. The man was carrying an old gun, locally known as "bhamar." This incident occurred just days after four camera traps were stolen from the same area.
Using this video, Satpura officials arrested a 22-year-old man named Kalyan. Kalyan, a resident of Kukarpani in Chhindwara district, was seen carrying a gun deep into the forest. This footage was found during routine surveillance at the Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR) divisional office.
Furthermore, when questioned, he could not explain why he was carrying the weapon into the forest. Investigation revealed that he did not have a license for the gun. A case has been registered in this matter for illegally entering the reserve and possessing illegal weapon.
Four Cameras Also Missing
The disappearance of four camera traps in the same area has further heightened concerns. These cameras were installed for tiger census purposes. These cameras have disappeared from the nearby Sulai and Khamda beats. This is the same sensitive area where a tiger was recently poached and its paw removed. Officials have stated that they are investigating the matter and the culprits will not be spared.
Tiger smuggler to undergo narco test
Tiger smuggler Yangchen Lachungpa, arrested from Manipur a few days ago, is also not cooperating with the police investigation. Therefore, preparations are underway to conduct a narco test to uncover his tiger smuggling network.
Missing tiger found through camera
A tiger in the Madhav Tiger Reserve in Shivpuri, whose collar ID had been malfunctioning, has now been traced through cameras.
Sources from the Madhav Tiger Reserve said that the tiger in the Tiger Reserve, whose location had stopped being traced a few months ago due to a damaged collar ID, has been traced through cameras installed in the reserve. Sources said that there are seven tigers in the Tiger Reserve, including five adults and two cubs.