ZSI scientists find dog skin in fake cases of wild animal trade in Pune region

The Western regional centre of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recently received cases in which dog skin is traded as wild animal skin.

- Gayatri Vajpeyee

PUNE: Within a year the centre has received at least 3-4 cases where dog skin was traded as tiger or leopard skin by painting it with artificial colours. This has highlighted the need for conservation efforts and strengthening law enforcement and penalties in such cases.

Over the years illegal wildlife trade has emerged as a form of organised transnational crime that has threatened the existence of many wild species in India. This includes diverse products including mongoose hair, snake skins, rhino horns, tiger and leopard claws, bones, skins, whiskers, elephant tusks, deer antlers, etc. Efforts are going on to prevent this illegal wildlife trade, with the help of the Wildlife Protection Act. The counterfeit skin trade is also emerging as a big challenge for security agencies as this is not only harmful to wild animals but also the domestic animals which are not covered under any legal protection with regard to illegal trading.

Recently the ZSI, Pune received a case, where police officials from Ratnagiri district sought their help in verification of the tiger skin confiscated during a raid. The ZSI scientist based on morphological evidence cleared that it was not a tiger skin but rather a dog skin.