Chhattisgarh: Two held for stealing claws from dead bear in Marwahi
Synopsis
A bear died of acute lung infection in Chhattisgarh's Marwahi forest — and before officials could reach it, four claws had been cut from its paw. Two villagers are now in custody, and the case underscores the persistent pressure on wildlife even in protected forest circles.
Key Takeaways
The Chhattisgarh forest department arrested Sudarshan Yadav, 54 , and Suraj Sahis, 20 , of Baraur village for stealing bear claws.
Four claws were removed from the right hind paw of a dead bear in the Marwahi forest range , Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district .
The bear's death was initially attributed to acute lung infection following a post-mortem by veterinarians.
Both accused have been charged under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and produced before a court.
The department has appealed to citizens to report wildlife crime and not tamper with animal carcasses.
The Chhattisgarh forest department has arrested two men for allegedly stealing claws from the carcass of a dead bear in the Marwahi forest circle of Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district, officials confirmed on 4 September. Four claws removed from the bear's right hind paw were recovered from the accused and confiscated.
How the Case Unfolded
On 3 September, the forest department received information about a bear's death in the Marwahi forest range. A team rushed to the site and, upon inspection, found that four claws from the animal's right hind paw had been removed. Officials treated the discovery as a serious wildlife offence and launched an intensive investigation, deploying a dog squad to assist the search.
The Arrests and Recovery
The operation led to the arrest of Sudarshan Yadav, 54, and Suraj Sahis, 20, both residents of Baraur village. All four claws were recovered from their possession. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the duo under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and they have been produced before a court.
Post-Mortem Findings
Following the arrests and completion of legal formalities, a post-mortem examination was conducted in the presence of a veterinary team. The veterinarians initially attributed the bear's death to acute lung infection. The carcass was subsequently cremated as per established protocol. Divisional Forest Officer, Marwahi, Kumar Nishant, along with other department officials, remained present throughout the proceedings.
Department's Appeal to the Public
The forest department has urged citizens not to tamper with the carcasses or body parts of any dead wildlife, and to immediately notify the nearest forest office upon discovering animal remains. Officials have also called on local communities to report any instances of poaching, forest crime, or suspicious wildlife-related activity. The department emphasised that wildlife protection is a collective responsibility and that community participation is vital to strengthening conservation efforts across Chhattisgarh.
This incident comes amid the state's intensified drive to curb poaching and protect wildlife — a push that has seen forest teams respond rapidly to tip-offs in recent months. Bear body parts, including claws and bile, are known to fetch significant sums in illegal wildlife trade networks, making enforcement in forested districts a persistent challenge.
Point of View
And this case is a reminder that poaching pressure does not spare even carcasses. The speed of the forest department's response — deploying a dog squad within hours of receiving a tip — is notable, but the fact that the claws were removed before officials arrived points to a surveillance gap in remote forest circles. Chhattisgarh's forested districts sit at the edge of known wildlife trafficking corridors, and a single incident like this rarely travels alone. The Wildlife Protection Act carries meaningful penalties, but conviction rates in such cases remain low — the real deterrent will depend on how consistently the courts follow through.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were two men arrested in Chhattisgarh's Marwahi forest?
Two men — Sudarshan Yadav and Suraj Sahis — were arrested for stealing four claws from the carcass of a dead bear in the Marwahi forest range of Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district. The claws were recovered from their possession and the accused have been charged under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
What caused the bear's death in Marwahi?
Veterinarians who conducted the post-mortem examination initially attributed the bear's death to acute lung infection. The carcass was cremated following the examination as per protocol.
What law applies to stealing body parts from a dead wild animal?
Removing or possessing body parts of protected wildlife — including from a carcass — is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The Act covers scheduled species such as bears and prescribes imprisonment and fines for violations.
What is the Chhattisgarh forest department asking citizens to do?
The department has urged the public not to tamper with wild animal carcasses and to immediately inform the nearest forest office upon finding such remains. Citizens are also being asked to report poaching, forest crimes, or any suspicious wildlife-related activity.
Where exactly did the incident take place?
The incident occurred in the Marwahi forest range within Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district of Chhattisgarh. The bear's body was discovered on 3 September, and the arrests were made following an investigation that included a dog squad search.
