Karwar: Castle Rock forest staff arrested a man, who allegedly hunted an Indian brown civet cat at Karambal forest area under Castle Rock range in Joida taluk of Uttara Kannada district recently, and recovered an illegal rifle used for the purpose.

Karwar: According to forest officials, the forest guard and watcher heard a gun sound during night patrolling at Karambal forest area. They went in search and caught two persons red-handed when they were hunting an Indian brown civet cat. Though hunters Suresh Narayan Naik and Prakash Soman Naik tried to shoot the forest staff, the guard and watcher snatched their rifle and seized other material from their possession. Meanwhile, Praksah managed to escape from the spot.

During interrogation, Naik confessed to killing the brown civet for meat. Dandeli DFO Palaiah told Reporters that no cases of hunting of Indiancivet cats was reported in Dandeli forest area and this is first such case. The forest staff arrested a hunter and produced him before the Dharwad JMFC Court, which remanded him in judicial custody.

Indian brown civet cat is a protected animal under Wildlife Protection Act and hunting it is a crime. The seized rifle has been handed over to the police department. The brown civet cat was buried in the presence of the forest officials. Search is on for Prakash, he added.