Hyderabad Police arrested two men, including a doctor and a real estate businessman, after seizing a large quantity of deer meat and antlers in a vehicle, officials said. Authorities charged them under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
On the night of September 13, 2025, police received credible information that two individuals were transporting deer meat and antlers in a vehicle around 11:00 pm. Officers intercepted the vehicle and detained the suspects. Dr. Mohd Saleem Moosa, 47, and Mohd Iqbal Ali residing in, Hyderabad.
During the search, police recovered approximately 10 kilograms of deer meat and three pairs of deer antlers. The vehicle used for transport was also seized.
Authorities handed over the seized meat, antlers, and suspects to the Forest Department for further investigation. They filed charges under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which governs the protection, possession, and trade of wild animals and their parts.
The police statement emphasized that the possession, trade, or transport of deer meat and horns is a serious offense under the Act, carrying penalties that may include imprisonment and fines.
Zoonotic risk: Consuming or handling wild animal meat, especially when transported without regulatory oversight or sanitary measures, carries risk of infection by pathogens that can jump from animals to humans. [1]
endemic food-borne diseases:i.e., caused by bacteria, parasites, and viruses infecting animals or contaminating meat
Public health oversight: Wildlife crime sometimes overlaps with public health risk, particularly when animal parts or meat enter informal markets without regulation. Authorities typically monitor wildlife offenses separately, but medical professionals may encounter the downstream consequences. [2]
WHO and FAO warn that unregulated wildlife trade can contribute to outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Studies show that illegal bushmeat consumption has been linked to diseases such as Salmonella, E. coli, and parasitic infections.
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 prohibits hunting, trade, and possession of wildlife species listed in its schedules. Deer species are among those under protection. The law aims to preserve biodiversity, prevent extinction, and regulate human-wildlife interaction
Antlers and deer parts have value in certain markets, which can create a supply chain that includes poaching, illegal transport, and trade. Wildlife authorities often work with police to disrupt these operations. Violators may face imprisonment (up to 7 years) and fines.
References:
1. Tumelty, L., et al. “A Systematic Mapping Review of Links Between Handling Wild Meat and Zoonotic Diseases.” PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2023. PMCID: PMC10665173. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10665173/.
2. Milbank, Charlotte, and Bhaskar Vira. “Wildmeat Consumption and Zoonotic Spillover: Contextualising Disease Emergence and Policy Responses.” The Lancet Planetary Health 6 (2022): e439–e448. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00064-X.
(Rh/Eth/TL/MSM)