Two held in Thrissur on charges of electrocuting wild boar

THRISSUR: Forest department officials have arrested two people on charges of electrocuting a wild boar for consuming its meat at Vattulli near Chelakkara in the district. The arrested are Kurien (77), son of Pothanal Veettil Ouseph, and Suvedan (58), son of Thottathil Veettil Govindankutty Ezhuthachan. Officials had also seized 25 kg of meat from them.The incident had occurred on Tuesday last.
Machad range section forest officer K Riyaz said investigations indicate that the accused inserted insulated wires through sturdy PVC pipes for tapping electricity from live public electric lines. The wires were then connected to the traps laid for catching the wild animals which stray into human habitations.
Riyaz said a report has been submitted to KSEB officials as this practice involves theft of electricity.
Wildlife experts said such practices have become more frequent during the pandemic period.
Social scientists have also raised fears of loss of human lives in such methods.
Recently, a youth was electrocuted when he accidentally came into contact with a water pool in which live electric wire was laid as a trap to catch wild boars at Vazhali at Painkulam panchayat near Chelakkara.