Wildlife Protection / AI Cameras Foil Poaching Bid in Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve, Four Arrested

Similipal, Jul 24: Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district has once again demonstrated the power of technology in wildlife protection. Four poachers were arrested after AI-powered cameras installed inside the reserve captured their illegal armed entry.

Acting swiftly on the footage, the Similipal Tiger Protection Force (STPF) and the enforcement team of the South Wildlife Division launched a raid and successfully apprehended the suspects.

The arrested individuals were identified as Faguram Tudu alias Fagu (23), Ramchandra Kisku (56), Ranjan Kisku (26) of Barajunpal village, and Biswanath Hansda (65) of Sanjunpal village under Kaptipada police limits.

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From their possession, forest officials seized two country-made guns, gunpowder, torchlights, and other prohibited hunting materials.

A case was registered at Podadiha Wildlife Range, and the accused were forwarded to court. Their bail plea was rejected, and they have been sent to judicial custody. Forest officials confirmed that further investigation is underway.

This is not the first time AI surveillance has foiled poaching attempts in Similipal. In 2024, AI cameras detected armed intruders near the Gudgudia range, leading to the arrest of three poachers with traps and weapons.

Similarly, in 2025, another group was caught after cameras flagged suspicious night movement in the reserve.

These incidents highlight how AI technology has become a game-changer in monitoring vast forest areas and protecting endangered species like tigers and elephants.

Similipal, one of India’s largest tiger reserves, has long faced challenges from poaching and illegal hunting. The integration of AI-based monitoring systems has significantly strengthened enforcement, enabling real-time detection and rapid response.