It's total BS. The Indian forest dept. can't catch poachers within 2 hours from the Ooty club and they raid the club to seize trophies that are a 100 years old, in plain sight of everyone.

By the way the Ooty club is a great old colonial club in the Nilgiri hills in Southern India, where until not that long ago they used to have a hunt (as in riding with horses). It was a favorite haunt of the british officers in India and the game of snookers (billiards) was first played and somewhat invented in that very same Ooty club by the british officers in India.

The Nilgiris are still rich in wildlife with lots of big-game, including tiger, bison, elephant, axis deer etc. There are also several tea plantations in somewhat close proximity of the Ooty club. Its a very nice place full of great history now sadly minus many old trophies from what I can gather from the picture.

Here is a link to the club's website http://www.nilgirinetworks.in/ootyclub/index.htm

Would the Bison mentioned be Gaur?

Yes the Indian bison is also called Gaur. Supposedly the biggest wild ox in the world.

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/2...2009102953530400.htm

My dad was once the Chief Wildlife warden of Tamil Nadu state where this incident occurred. I am very familiar with Ooty & have been to this club & seen some of the trophies. The teak wood paneled interior & the bar are a sight to behold. I also worked as a Tea Planter in Assam & South India in the 80's.

Coming to the point, I would suspect that some Forest Officer tried to gain membership of the club and was denied this privilege & hence the raid to harass the club officials & members. Many senior officials have spent years in this club & it has never had a problem before. Field Marshal Manekshaw was a member for a long time.

.....Stupid bureaucrats with huge egos!