Udhagamandalam:
Four persons were penalised on Friday for hunting and killing a barking deer in Ambalamula near Gudalur, about 80 km from Udhagamandalam.
Based on information that hunters were targeting barking deer in the area, forest department officials kept a vigil and nabbed four persons.
After interrogation, the accused confessed to their involvement in hunting the animal, forest department sources said.
The department imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on them and cautioned them that stringent action would be taken if they were found to be involved in poaching in the forests.