Gajapati, Sep 2: In a significant crackdown on wildlife crime, the Forest Department of Gajapati district conducted a raid in Gochhaguda village under Mohana police station and arrested two alleged poachers involved in illegal tiger hunting.

The accused have been identified as Lulu Mallick and Sukadeva Mallick, both residents of the same village.

During the operation, forest officials seized a cache of illegal wildlife items including: four tiger canines (leopard species), one bow and arrow, country-made firearm and bullets, and four animal traps.

According to Sainisri Das, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Gajapati, the accused were reportedly hunting tigers in the Lakhari Wildlife Sanctuary and selling their skins and teeth in the black market.

This arrest follows a previous incident where Chitra Mallick, another resident of Gochhaguda, was apprehended by the Bhanjanagar Forest Division in Ganjam district for possessing tiger skin. Based on information provided by Chitra during interrogation, forest officials launched the recent raid that led to the arrests.

The arrested individuals have been produced in court and further investigation is underway to uncover the extent of the poaching network and any possible links to organized wildlife trafficking.

This operation marks a major success for the Forest Department in its ongoing efforts to protect endangered species and preserve biodiversity in Odisha.