Ganjam, Aug 31: In a major breakthrough for wildlife protection, forest officials from the Northern Ghumusar Division in Odisha seized a tiger skin and arrested seven individuals involved in illegal wildlife trafficking.

The operation was carried out in Gunduribadi village under Jagannathprasad forest range, where the accused were allegedly preparing to sell the tiger skin after performing rituals.

Among those arrested are Surendra Pradhan and Lakshman Pradhan from Gunduribadi, Sushant Dakua from Pantikhari, Trinath Biswal from Purushottampur, Khali Charan Jani from Gajapati district, Anangaram Giri, and Kshatriya Mallik. Shockingly, one of the accused is a retired police ASI, and another is his son.

Acting on a tip-off, forest officials raided the location early in the morning and apprehended three individuals on the spot. They recovered a tiger skin measuring seven feet, ritual items, a sharp weapon (bhujali), mobile phones, and other evidence. Four more accused were later arrested from a lodge in Bhanjanagar.

Preliminary investigation suggests the tiger, estimated to be 5-6 years old, was shot dead nearly 20 days ago. The accused had planned to sell the skin in the international market for lakhs of rupees. Forest officials believe the tiger was killed elsewhere and brought to Gunduribadi for sale.

Northern Ghumusar DFO Himanshu Shekhar Mohanty stated that the origin of the tiger’s killing and the full extent of the trafficking racket are still under investigation. Authorities are working to identify other individuals involved and trace the network behind this illegal trade.