The Mahalakshmi Layout police have arrested five poachers and recovered the leopard skin, a single barrel gun and a car. The suspects are: Lakshman (35), Siddesh Naik and Ashok (28), all from Arsikere, Suresh and Prakash (30) from Kasaba hobli in Hassan district.

On a tip-off, the police arrested them from a spot near a soap factory, where they were trying to sell the leopard skin.

Lakshman, a hunter, is believed to have shot two leopards near Arsikere, while the others assisted him. They brought the skin to the City in a car and were waiting for customers when the police raided them.