Panaji, June 20 (IBNS) At least 40 Indian bull frogs were saved in separate raids conducted by the Goa forest department officials since the last few days.

While only three poachers could be nabbed, the department has booked half a dozen cases and launched a massive search to trace the whereabouts of other frog poachers.

The territorial divisions in the north and south districts have heightened night patrolling, for, the poachers catch the amphibians during the monsoon nights.

Goa’s Principle Conservator of Wildlife Shashi Kumar said indiscriminate killing of frogs for their meat led to a drastic decline in the frog population in the last few years.

“The poaching has nonetheless declined lately as our raiding teams have been activated at almost all the places. Regular checking and raids are taking place,” he said.

The poachers’ modus operandi is to choose a moonless night, carry a powerful torch to stun the frogs with its beam once located at any distance and kill them with the knives at the spot.

In Mapusa alone, 15 frogs were seized this Sunday night but the poachers managed to give the raiding teams a slip.

Four more frogs were saved in the other parts of the north district, and the remaining was saved at Margao in south.

The forest officials have drawn plans to maintain strict vigil at vulnerable places and formed separate teams for patrolling. The restaurants suspected to be serving the dish are also being raided.

The frogs also known as “jumping chicken”, is a delicacy in the coastal state as it is seasonal and therefore rare.

The large Indian bull frogs are an endangered species under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Any individual or restaurant caught catching, killing, selling serving or eating the meat can be jailed for three years or levied a penalty of Rs 25,000 or both.  

(Reporting by John Edwards)