At least eight deer horns have been found tucked in a baggage belonging to a woman at Mangaluru International Airport. The woman who was US-bound was allegedly taking these horns to decorate her house.

The airport officials have lodged a complaint against the woman’s father who had come to see her off. The 56-year-old woman who is a native of Karkala was travelling back to the US when the incident occurred. The checking staff found something hidden in the bag and when enquired, she reportedly said that they were very old and was carrying them to the US, reports Udayavani.

The airport authorities seized the horns and had allowed her to travel to Bengaluru to catch a flight to the US. The Mangaluru airport officials informed the forest officials about the seizure and lodged a complaint against the woman’s father who had come to drop her at the airport.

The father was reportedly not aware that it was illegal to carry them in the flight. Forest officials told Udayavani that this was for the first time that such incident has come to light in their jurisdiction.

They have lodged a case against the father under the Wildlife Protection Act, illegal transportation and illegal possession. It is reported that those horns must be 60-70 year old.As per the Forest Act, there is a provision to keep deer horns that are obtained prior to 1972.

But they must be produced before the forest department and get a certificate from them. Lest the forest officials may confiscate them. The forest officials who have lodged a complaint against father have found that they had eight deer horns in their house as a decorative object. But they did not have the required certificate from the forest officials.

SOURCE : http://www.bfirst.in/category/state/deer-horns-found-in-womans-baggage-in-mangaluru-airport-504636