Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh), July 28 : Uttar Pradesh police seized eight skins of leopards from poachers from Saharanpur on Monday.

Acting on a tip off, the police arrested four persons possessing leopard skins.

Wildlife officials say that illegal trade is growing with crime syndicates making millions of dollars from the killing, smuggling and selling of rare animals like Tigers.

Feigning innocence, one of the arrested persons said that he was lured with money to sell the skins.

"A person named Liaqat had given these to me to sell them. He said he would give me the money after selling them. I did not know the rate," said Majid, who was arrested for poaching.

Leopards, rhinos, reptiles, birds and insects as well as rare species of trees and plants are also being smuggled to Southeast Asian countries and China.

Wildlife experts say Tiger and Leopard parts are in great demand in China and other Asian countries. They are wanted for their skins, which are worn during festivals, as well as for their bones and body parts, which are used in traditional medicines.

Those involved in the trade are mostly highly organised cross-border criminal syndicates and involve a large supply chain, ranging from the forest dwellers, who kill the animals, to transporters, smugglers and ultimately the buyers. (ANI)