Two Leopard Skins Seized in Gajapati, Six Arrested in Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown
Paralakhemundi: In a major crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, forest officials in Odisha’s Gajapati district seized two leopard skins and arrested six persons in separate operations conducted by the Forest Department.
The raids were carried out following intelligence inputs about the alleged trafficking of wildlife body parts.
The first operation was conducted at the New Bus Stand in Paralakhemundi, where forest officials apprehended two suspects and recovered a leopard skin.
A motorcycle and two mobile phones were also seized during the raid.
Based on information obtained during interrogation, the Forest Department launched another operation near Tulsinagar under the Mohana forest range.
During the second raid, four more individuals were arrested, and another leopard skin was recovered. Officials also seized two motorcycles and four mobile phones from the accused.
According to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Paralakhemundi, separate cases have been registered in connection with the seizures. The arrested individuals were produced before the court for further legal proceedings.
Forest authorities have initiated a detailed investigation to trace the origin of the leopard skins and determine where the animals were poached.
Officials are also examining potential links to larger wildlife trafficking networks operating within or outside the state.
The seizure highlights the continuing threat posed by wildlife crime and underscores the efforts of enforcement agencies to curb illegal trade in protected species.
