Blackbuck found dead in a field in Madhya Pradesh, forest department to take action

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 23 (ANI): A Blackbuck was found dead about 40 kilometres from Bhopal. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Lokpriya Bharti on Wednesday informed that the dead body of a blackbuck was found at a field near Barkheda Salam village of Madhya Pradesh. He said that action would be taken against the killing of the animal.
Bharti said that the dead body of the blackbuck had been sent for post-mortem as there were injuries inflicted on the body.
"A blackbuck was found dead at a field near Barkheda Salam village, about 40 kilometres from Bhopal. We have sent the body for the post-mortem. There are injuries on the body. Investigation is underway (and) the final report will be submitted to the Forest Department soon. Action will be taken in this case," says Lokpriya Bharti, DFO Bhopal.
Bharti said that the Blackbuck's body was found in a field and not in the forest area. "This is why we have sent the body for the post-mortem after which we will perform last rites for the animal as per the rules. Protecting blackbuck is important because the animal falls under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act," he said.
Bharti further informed that people hunt blackbucks to smuggle its horns.
"However, the Wildlife Protection Act has ensured that the animal is not killed for any reason including its use as a game animal. Initial report of the post-mortem will be available by tomorrow," he said.
Blackbucks are protected animals under the Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Act, 1972. They are in the PETA list of extremely vulnerable species. (ANI)