Bhawanipatana: Forest department officials rescued 12 rare Mountain Quails from a bus in Kalahandi district on Monday and arrested vehicle owner Chintamani Chatria, driver Punia Majhi and helper Pradip Majhi.
Acting on a tip-off, forest officials stopped the Bhawanipatna-bound bus near Sagada check post suspecting transportation of endangered species. A number of bird catching instrument were also seized from the bus. Those arrested were allegedly engaged in illegal poaching of birds.
The rescued Mountain Quails were reportedly trapped in Kalrapat Wildlife Sanctuary.
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