Tiger census cameras catch 4 poachers in Amarabad reserve

Hyderabad: What began as a routine tiger estimation exercise in Amrabad Tiger Reserve has led forest officials to crack down on suspected poachers after camera traps captured four men allegedly moving through the protected forest with a country-made gun, ammunition and other hunting equipment.The images were recorded on May 18 in Allangattu forest area in Achampet range during the All-India Tiger Estimation-2026 exercise. Officials said they scrutinised nearly 30 camera trap images and launched a special inquiry using technical evidence and local intelligence. The probe led to the identification of four suspects — two from Chathurbhavi tanda, one from Chandapur village and another from Lingotam village.Forest officials said they have been identified as Mudavath Balu, Dharangula Narasimha, Sariya and Pastor John Paul. The men were allegedly seen carrying a gun, ammunition, an axe and other material suspected to have been intended for hunting.Cases have been registered against the four under relevant provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and legal proceedings have been initiated. Describing ATR as one of the state’s most important wildlife habitats, officials said armed entry into such a sensitive ecosystem poses a serious threat to wildlife. The reserve is home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, sambar, chital, wild boar and several other rare species.Preliminary inquiries suggest the group may have entered the forest to hunt, though officials said more details would emerge after the investigation is completed. The forest department warned that unauthorised entry into the reserve, carrying weapons, hunting, aiding hunting or harming wildlife are serious offences punishable with imprisonment and heavy fines.Officials said surveillance across the reserve has been strengthened in recent months, with expanded deployment of camera traps and drone monitoring. Key forest routes, water sources, wildlife corridors and vulnerable hunting zones are now under constant watch. Nagarkurnool district forest officer Revanth Chandra has appealed to villagers, cattle grazers and visitors to strictly adhere to forest laws and report any suspicious movement to the nearest forest authorities.