An alleged racket of hunting and selling peacocks has been busted in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Ramanagaram district.
Following credible information, the forest personnel, headed by Sangama Wildlife Range Forest Officer Kirankumar G. Karatangi, raided a place near Bhoohalli and arrested the alleged poacher.
The officials have recovered the carcasses of five peacocks and peafowls from Manjunatha Lingegowda, 42, a resident of Kadahalli near Sathanur of Kanakapura in Ramanagaram.
Manjunath, along with another accused Muthanna, 50, killed the birds using a country-made weapon at Bhoohalli in Basavana Betta reserved wildlife area on Saturday evening.
The accused was arrested on Sunday. Muthanna, a resident of Madike Kempaiahna Doddi of Halaguru, Malavalli taluk, of Mandya district, is absconding, said sources in the Forest Department. Investigation is on to trace Muthanna, seize the firearm, and ascertain the nexus of the duo with other suspected forest goods smugglers. The arrested was remanded to judicial custody on Monday, an officer said.