Tiger poacher nabbed in Haryana

NEW DELHI - A tiger poacher who was absconding since last year was arrested Tuesday from a Haryana town, officials said.

Bheema, who was nabbed by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and the police from Ballabhgarh area of Haryana, has been absconding since he was wanted in a poaching case in July 2008.

At that time, the authorities had recovered tiger bones and traps from his house in Gurgaon. He was declared a proclaimed offender.

“He is also suspected to have been involved in killing of several tigers and leopards in north India,” said Ramesh Pandey, regional deputy director of WCCB.

“His detention will provide vital clues about the organised poaching and illegal trade networks in the country,” Pandey told IANS.