Wildlife officials seize giant squirrel

VADODARA, April 21: Officials of the Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department in Vadodara confiscated a giant squirrel from the residence of Ashwin Patel, a builder, on R V Desai Road here this evening and initiated action under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 against him.

After a thorough search, it was found that Patel did not have permission to keep the squirrel — a very rare species — hence the confiscation and action under WPA. Punishment could mean one year to six years’ detention or a fine of Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 or both.

Officials said that the search was intended to ascertain whether Patel’s possession of a Hoolock Gibbon was legal. Though it normally is a protected species, the Vadodara Zoo had permitted Patel to keep the gibbon, holding that the animal might die if taken away from its owner.

Officials supervising today’s search concurred with this opinion.