Nayagarh, Odisha ( OT webdesk)– Forest officials in Odisha’s Nayagarh district have arrested three individuals for allegedly poaching a leopard and attempting to smuggle its skin.
The arrests followed a raid in the Gania forest range under the Nayagarh Forest Division, where authorities discovered a leopard skin and weapons used in the killing.
According to reports, the incident stemmed from a leopard attack on a goat in Khalsahi village. In retaliation, the suspects—identified as Trinath Pradhan, Bimbadhar Nayak, and Ramachandra Dalabehera—allegedly used electric traps and firearms to kill the wild animal between December and January.
Acting on a tip-off, the Nayagarh Forest Division, alongside the Mahanadi Wildlife Division, raided Trinath’s residence, uncovering leopard remains and a shotgun suspected to have been used in the poaching.
While the three suspects are in custody, officials are pursuing two additional individuals believed to be involved in the crime.
Authorities have emphasised their commitment to cracking down on illegal wildlife trafficking, reinforcing efforts to protect endangered species in Odisha’s forests.
