Five arrested for possession of lion claw in Amreli

AMRELI: Five persons have been arrested after they were found possessing a lion claw from the eastern region of the Gir wildlife sanctuary falling in Dhari taluka on Friday, forest officials said.

The five were travelling in a car when they were stopped at the Jasadhar check post inside the wildlife sanctuary by the forest staff.

On searching, one of them was found wearing a lion claw around his neck, they said.

Range Forest officer (RFO) of the Gir (east) K B Mulani arrested the five under the Wildlife Protection Act and are interrogating them, forest officials said.

Of the five, four hail from Rajasthan, while one belongs to Bagasra taluka of the district, they said.

The four from Rajasthan have been identified as Roicha Singh, Gajendra Singh, Ramnivas Dhakad and Kanhaialal Dhakad.

While one from Bagasra is named Vijay Bhuva, forest officials said, adding further investigation was on.