Baripada: The poaching of a melanistic tiger in Odisha’s Similipal came to light on Thursday after three persons were arrested for allegedly trading the skin of the animal.
Acting on a tip-off about a deal involving the sale of tiger skin, forest officials of Similipal South Division conducted a raid along the Basipitha–Bhupat road and caught the accused persons while they were negotiating the deal.
During the operation, the team recovered the skin of a melanistic tiger, believed to be around two years old.
The arrested persons have been identified as Gangadhar Murmu of Kusumghati village under Khunta police station, Ramdas Hembrom of Kathruma village under Kuliana police station, and Bhima Baske of Joka village under Bangiriposi police station.
Three motorcycles and two mobile phones were also seized from their possession. The accused were produced before a local court today.
Deputy Director of Similipal South Division, Sumit Kumar Kar, said further investigation is in progress to ascertain the full extent of the poaching network and identify other persons involved.
