KATHMANDU: Three people were arrested in possession of a red panda hide from Chuchepati of Kathmandu, on Tuesday.

Shukra Thami (27), Shyam Kumar Tamang (27) and Lawa Tamang (30) of Dolakha were arrested for their alleged involvement in trading of the hide of the endangered species.

Acting on a tip-off, a special team deployed from the Metropolitan Crime Division seized the covering and arrested the trio from Lawa Tamang’s room yesterday.

Police said Sonam Chhiring Sherpa and Thami had killed the protected wild animal in July-August. Sherpa then made a deal with Shyam Kumar Tamang to sell the hide at Rs two million.

They have been sent to the District Forests Office in Hattisar today and would be booked under the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973, police informed.