Hunsur: The Forest Department staff have arrested three persons on charges of trying to poach wild animals at Sannagadde limits in Nagarahole Reserve Forest and have seized mobile phones, torch, knife, machete, liquor sachets and bikes from them. Seven other poachers managed to escape during the raid last night.

The arrested are Sujendra, Jayaramegowda and Shivannegowda, all residents of Shindenahalli village. The Police and the Forest staff have launched a hunt to nab Ningegowda of Chikkagowdana Koppal, Srikanth, Manjunath and Seenegowda of Shindenahalli, Venkatesh of Honnenahalli and Swamy and Chikkanna of Kolavige tribal hamlet.

Yesterday at about 10 pm, the Forest staff, who were on their regular beat, noticed a gang of 10 poachers waiting in the dark to poach wild animals and informed their higher authorities. Based on the instructions from their officers, the staff raided the place and managed to arrest three of the 10 poachers while the others managed to escape in the cover of darkness. The Forest staff has seized weapons and other materials from them.

A case under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 has been registered against the accused.

Hunsur RFO Surendra and staff took part in the raid, nabbing and seizing operation.