As many as 124 live bull frogs were rescued and released by the patrolling teams in the three cases.
The accused have been arrested under Wildlife Protection Act. They were released on bail later.
According to sources at the Range Forest Office, a night patrolling team of the forest department noticed a suspicious activity in the fields, at Paroda, at around 12 o’clock. The team then went into the field to find two persons with a torch and 13 live bull frogs. The two persons were immediately arrested; the bull frogs were rescued and released into the fields.
The accused were identified as Fendis Rodrigues, aged 51, and his son Shervin Rodrigues, aged 20, residents of Sarzora.
In the second case, later in the same night, the same patrolling team found a group of four youth poaching frogs in fields at Chandwado; and when the team went to arrest the foursome, two managed to flee. On arresting Aliston Pereira and Neves Barbosa, both from Fatorda, the patrolling team found a whopping 50 live bull frogs in their possession. Later, the frogs were reportedly released into the fields.
Paddem is a hot spot for frog poaching and as such the forest department teams regularly patrol the area.
In the third case on the same night, the same patrolling team arrested a youth after a short chase, for poaching frog. Glen Fernandes was found in possession of 10 live frogs.
Criminal cases have been registered against all the accused under Wild Life Protection Act. They were later released on furnishing bail bonds.
Range Forest Officer Siddesh Gawde, who lead the patrolling team, said that the bull frog is a protected amphibian under Schedule IV of Wildlife Protection Act. Not just poaching, even trapping or restricting the animals are prohibited under the Act.
“Poaching is increasing nowadays and to keep the poachers at bay, we have asked for additional staff from other divisions,” Siddesh said adding, “We are also involving NGOs, so that they can help us in the rescue mission and keep poaching under control.”
Several persons, including wildlife activists, have expressed surprise at the involvement of youth in poaching, even after warnings and knowing the seriousness of the offence.
Parag Rangnekar said, “The people need to educate themselves on the ill effects of killing the frog. Frog poaching is not just criminal, but it will affect the ecological balance for a long time to come.” Parag is an expert member on the Biodiversity Board of Goa.
Shockingly, two elected representatives from Margao later approached the forest office personally to protect some of the poachers.
