After a forest guard was shot dead, the distrct administration seems to be in action mode. As many as six poachers have been arrested in the last two days. The officials also seized 10 guns from the possession of the accused.
According to reports, the forest department officials arrested three persons, including a former sarpanch. Similarly, forest personnel seized 7 kg of pangolin scales and arrested two persons during a raid at Badakhama under the Kaptipada forest range in Mayurbhanj district on Thursday morning.
Besides, they seized four country pistols, the meat of forest animals, a trap, and a tail of an animal.
Also Read: North-east poachers ‘active’ in Similipal again
The number of hunting cases involving elephants, deer, wild boars and other animals have also increased in several jungles in the State. The hunting process is so clandestinely that the forest department hardly gets any inkling of these cases.
As per data, as many as 36 elephants were poached between 2012 and 2022., while 10 jumbos were killed in the last five years.
This apart, 40 leopard skins, two Royal Bengal Tiger skins and 119 deer skins have been seized in the last three years.
Not only hunters, but the forest department officials also pose a threat to the wild animals.
The State government suspended three officials of the Similipal Tiger Reserve of Mayurbhanj district over allegations that they burnt the carcass of an elephant and threw off the remnants in a river in December 2022.
Also Read: Another elephant poached in Similipal, tusks cut off
On the other hand, animal lovers believe that wildlife hunting cases can be checked if night patrolling is intensified and exemplary punishment is given to the poachers.
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