Police arrested four people for their alleged involvement in illegal trafficking of the skin of red panda, an endangered wildlife species, from Kharibot area of Kapan in Kathmandu on Monday.

The arrested are 39-years-old Surya Bahadur Bhujel of Balajor in Tinpatan Rural Municipality-6, Sindhuli district; 40-years-old Suk Bahadur Lama of Jhapre in Dhunibesi Municipality-7, Dhading district; 37-years-old Yuvaraj Sapkota of Tarakang in Madi Rural Municipality-8, Kaski district and Kamala Tamang of Kathmandu.

A team of security personnel deployed from the Metropolitan Crime Division, Hanumandhoka carried out an onsite investigation after getting a tip-off and arrested all four of them after the skin of a red panda was found in Bhujel’s bag at around 3:30 pm yesterday.

According to SSP Sahakul Bahadur Thapa, the arrested have been handed over to District Forest Office in Hattisar for necessary legal action.