Jumping genocide: 74 frogs found at Maina, India – via Herp Digest

Times of India 6/8/12- MARGAO: The Maina-Curtorim police along with the forest department rescued 44 live Indian bull frogs and the bodies of 30 frogs which had been cut.

 The police control room received a telephone call at 11am stating that bull frogs were being killed and cut at Maina. By the time the police arrived, the two male accused Anceto Menezes and Herculean Rebello fled leaving their footwear and other materials behind. The offense was taking place behind Rebello's residence and both his and Menezes' bike were attached by the police who are carrying out further investigations.

Maina Curtorim PI Gurudas Kadam told TOI that they called the wildlife range forest officer (RFO) Joseph Colaco from Aquem, who immediately sent a mobile squad where the case was handed over to the forest department. Kadam added that one lady was found at the site holding a knife in her hand with blood stains and refused to divulge any details to the police. The mobile squad took her to the (RFO) Colaco in Aquem. "The lady's name is Gulhermina Mascarenhas and she has agreed to the offense and we have taken her statement . She was released on a surety bond and has been asked to return to our office on Monday," said Colaco after finishing the interrogation at 5.30pm.

When asked what the motive behind the killing was and if they had discovered the modus operandi of the accused, Colaco said, "Mascarenhas did not reveal much but we are carrying out further investigations and are putting together the pieces of the case."

Sources said that those 30 frogs which were cut had their skins removed meticulously and appeared to have been prepped for commercial purposes. The 44 live frogs after a quick examination were released into a pond nearby. The news of the incident angered several animal activists.