Two bison poached in Goa forest

Two Indian bison were poached in the forests here allegedly to sell its meat to local hotels, an official said today.
The two bison were found dead with mutilated carcass lying about 250 metres away from each other in the forests of Alarn village under Pernem taluka yesterday, state forest department officials said.
The ungulates was killed using electric shock, a senior forest official said on condition of anonymity.
Indian Bison is protected under schedule one of the Wildlife Protection Act. The extant bovine, which is the state animal of Goa, is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986.

The forest department officials were informed about the poaching by NGO Animal Rescue Squad last evening.
Amrit Singh, heading the Animal Rescue Squad, said when his team went there, one of the poachers was cutting the carcass, but managed to run away.

"We have no specific proof but the poachers are likely to be from surrounding area. This forest is known for such of poaching," Singh said.
Both the killed bison were grown up males, he said, adding that the meat is highly in demand at hotels in the beach belt.
A preliminary investigation at the spot held by the forest department with the help of the NGO indicated that a wire with strong electric current was laid in the forest to kill the animals.

"The shock was so severe that the animals died on the spot. We found blood oozing from their nose," Singh said.