TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: The Wild Life protection squad and Margao Range Forest office arrested five persons and seized 36 frogs from their possession at Sao Jose de Areal late Thursday night.
Each of the five persons now faces maximum fine of Rs 25,000 under the Wild Life Protection Act.
In an operation which continued late midnight, forest officials apprehended the five persons from Colva, Benaulim and Sao Jose de Areal with the catch.
Briefing media persons, Deputy Conservator of Forests, South Sanjay Waradkar said that 29 frogs were seized from the possession of one Fernandes, a resident of Colva. “Our team also seized four frogs from Alexio Joao Gomes from Sao Jose de Areal,” he said.
Besides, Waradkar said that the squad also arrested three persons, Seby Fernandes, Alex Pereira and Succoro D’Costa from Benaulim with three frogs at Sao Jose de Areal.
“The Forest department has decided to initiate strict action against these persons to send a message loud and clear that we mean business,” Waradkar said, while issuing an appeal to the general public not to catch frogs. “Frogs are getting extinct. We will not spare anyone found indulging in catching frogs this time”, he warned.
