<p> Poachers killed a female four-horned antelope, an endangered species, at the Rangayyanadurga Wildlife Sanctuary in Jagalur taluk of Davangere district on Tuesday. The animal is currently protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.</p>.<p><br />According to forest officials, the poachers killed it with blows to the head, after trapping it in a snare. </p>.<p><br />When they tried to escape with the kill, they were waylaid by a forest guard and the deputy range forest officer in the Rakkasagudda area of the sanctuary. </p>.<p><br />They abandoned the kill and fled. The animal’s body has been recovered. The post-mortem showed that the antelope was pregnant.</p>.<p><br />Forest department officials said that though they had identified the poachers, pressure from local people and politicians had prevented them from making arrests. </p>.<p><br />None of the six accused have been named in the first information report.<br />Although the authorities had been informed about the special status granted to the four-horned antelope, this is the third poaching incident in <br />the last fortnight in Jaglur taluk. </p>.<p>No arrests have been made in the previous incidents also. <br />Forest department officials said the Rangayyanadurga sanctuary should be transferred to the jurisdiction of the wildlife division, so that future poaching attempts can be stopped. </p>
<p> Poachers killed a female four-horned antelope, an endangered species, at the Rangayyanadurga Wildlife Sanctuary in Jagalur taluk of Davangere district on Tuesday. The animal is currently protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.</p>.<p><br />According to forest officials, the poachers killed it with blows to the head, after trapping it in a snare. </p>.<p><br />When they tried to escape with the kill, they were waylaid by a forest guard and the deputy range forest officer in the Rakkasagudda area of the sanctuary. </p>.<p><br />They abandoned the kill and fled. The animal’s body has been recovered. The post-mortem showed that the antelope was pregnant.</p>.<p><br />Forest department officials said that though they had identified the poachers, pressure from local people and politicians had prevented them from making arrests. </p>.<p><br />None of the six accused have been named in the first information report.<br />Although the authorities had been informed about the special status granted to the four-horned antelope, this is the third poaching incident in <br />the last fortnight in Jaglur taluk. </p>.<p>No arrests have been made in the previous incidents also. <br />Forest department officials said the Rangayyanadurga sanctuary should be transferred to the jurisdiction of the wildlife division, so that future poaching attempts can be stopped. </p>
