Forest Department Busts Wildlife Trafficking Racket; Tiger Skin Recovered in Rayagada
Rayagada: In a major breakthrough against wildlife crime, the Odisha Forest Department arrested four individuals, including a temple priest, and seized a tiger skin during a special operation in Rayagada district.
The operation was carried out jointly by officials of the Gunupur and Gudari forest ranges following intelligence inputs regarding illegal possession and trade of wildlife parts.
The raid was conducted near the Kannpadu temple under the Naira section of the Gudari range.
According to forest officials, the accused were found in possession of a tiger skin measuring approximately 250 cm in length and 107 cm in width.
During the operation, authorities also seized three motorcycles and four mobile phones suspected to have been used in the illegal activity.
One of the accused, identified as temple priest Gouri Shankar Rana, allegedly attempted to flee the spot with the tiger skin but was apprehended by the forest personnel.
The other arrested individuals have been identified as Sriram Patra, Philip Bidika and Maren Mallick.
Forest officials have launched a detailed investigation to trace the origin of the tiger skin and determine whether the accused were part of a wider wildlife trafficking network.
Authorities are also examining whether the tiger was poached within Odisha or brought from another region for illegal trade.
The seizure is being viewed as a significant success in the fight against wildlife crime and illegal trafficking of protected animal parts.
Further investigation is underway to identify additional suspects and uncover possible links to organised wildlife smuggling networks.
