The Forest department on Thursday (September 11, 2025) arrested two men for allegedly killing, cooking, and eating a python, a species protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act. The incident occurred at Panapuzha, Kannur, Kerala.

The arrested persons – U. Pramod (40) and C. Bineesh (37), both residents of Panapuzha Mundapram, were apprehended from a house at Ward 3 of Panapuzha grama panchayat.

Python meat seized from the accused
| Photo Credit:
special arrangement

According to officials, the accused captured, killed, and consumed the python.

The arrests followed a tip-off received by Taliparamba range officer P. V. Sanoop Krishnan. A team led by special duty section officer C. Pradeepan, along with beat forest officers P. P. Rajeevan, M. Veena, and driver R. K. Rajeesh, conducted a raid and arrested the two suspects.

Further investigation is under way.