Sultan Bathery (Wayanad): Four individuals have been arrested by the Forest Department in connection with the killing and cooking of a spotted deer that had entered the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in an injured state after being attacked by dogs. The incident took place in Sultan Bathery.

The arrested have been identified as Pulikkachaalil Sunil (59), Thadathilchaalil Santhosh (56), Puthurkkolli Radhakrishnan (48) and Vaalamvayal Sivaraman (62), all residents of Mukkuthikkunnu in Noolpuzha.

The arrests were made on Friday afternoon when Forest officials, acting on a tip-off, conducted a search at Sunil’s residence while the deer meat was being cooked. They recovered both cooked and uncooked meat, knives used for cutting the meat and vessels used for cooking. According to Forest officials, approximately 40 kilograms of meat were seized.

The head of the deer, including its antlers, was also recovered from the location. There are indications that the remaining meat was being dried for preservation. The incident occurred within the Thottamoola Forest Section under the Muthanga Range.

The arrest operation was carried out by Life Warden Sanjay Kumar, Deputy Range Officer Muralidharan, Thottamoola Section Forest Officer K Prakashan and Beat Forest Officers Vidya, Rajesh, and Girish.

The accused will be produced before the Bathery court on Saturday.