Five arrested for capturing Himalayan Marmot in Ladakh

Leh, July 14: A viral video showing a group of individuals capturing a Himalayan Marmot — a Schedule-I protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 — has sparked public outrage, leading to the detention of five people in Ladakh.The video, which surfaced on social media on July 9, depicted several individuals holding the rodent in the Chusumla area of Nyoma sub-division.Taking swift action, the Department of Wildlife Protection, UT of Ladakh, constituted an investigation team the same evening to trace the origin of the footage and identify the culprits.Acting on preliminary leads, officials with support from the Army traced the individuals to a tent site near Chusumla on July 10. During the search, the team discovered a snare fashioned from military signal wire and signs of tampering with marmot burrows — clear indications of illegal trapping activity.The individuals confessed to being part of the incident and claimed to have released the marmot later. Nevertheless, all five were taken into custody, brought to Leh for medical examination, and presented before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Leh, on July 11. The Department secured a three-day remand for further investigation.Authorities have reiterated that the Himalayan Marmot, native to high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems, enjoys the highest level of legal protection due to its ecological significance and vulnerability. The Department has urged the public to report any such incidents and warned of strict legal consequences for violations of wildlife laws.The matter remains under investigation, officials said.