Pune ZSI has no expert to verify seized ivory stick

Even though the Khadak police have claimed that they have seized an ivory walking stick, verifying it would take months as the Pune regional Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) does not have an expert to confirm it. Hence, they have directed the police to send the stick to headquarters in Kolkata.

Acting on a tip-off, Khadak police on Friday seized a 2.5 feet foldable walking stick claimed to be carved out of ivory and detained Kamlesh alias Balu Sharma and Datta Jadhav from Kalewadi area.

They sent the stick to the ZSI on Monday for confirmation of the claim. Police are also interrogating the suspects regarding involvement of a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) corporator’s son in the case.  Inspector (crime) Sandipan Sawant said, “We are not sure whether the stick is carved out of ivory. We had taken it to ZSI on Monday, which had directed us to send it to Kolkata headquarter. Accordingly, we sent it to Kolkata by courier and the reports will come within two-and-a-half weeks. We approached the Kalina Forensic Science Laboratory, who also suggested it to be taken to ZSI or Wildlife Institute of India at Dehradun.”