Poachers go online to sell wildlife species

CHENNAI: Jackal cubs for sale: 35,000 a pair. Picture to be updated soon.

Welcome to the world of tech-savvy poachers who are now using social networking sites and mobile applications to trade in wild animals, including threatened and protected species.

The message about the jackal cubs flashed last week on a WhatsApp group discussing exotic birds. It had the seller’s handle, ‘Farhan racer 007’, and his phone number. When TOI called the number, the person who responded asked for the caller’s identity, profession and reason for purchase. He said the cubs belonged to his friend in Madurai but refused to strike a deal without a reference from a person familiar to him.

People for Cattle in India (PFCI) member Shanmugan Sundaram came close to striking a deal with the man. “When I called him, he said he could procure any wild animal as long as a customer is ready to pay the right amount,” Sundaram said.

“He was initially suspicious but I called him several times till he asked me to meet him near Greams Road,” he said. “However, he changed the plan at the last moment and asked me to wait for few more days. He stopped picking up my calls a few d Jackals feature on Schedule III of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) of India. Capturing and selling jackals is illegal and an offender faces a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment or a fine of up to 25,000 or both, PeTA India CEO Poorva Joshipura said.

Animal Welfare Board of India officials said they are in the process of filing complaints with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. An official said they have received several reports of wild animals being sold on the web.