Baripada: Forest department officials have seized the skin of a rare melanistic tiger and arrested four poachers from Similipal wildlife sanctuary in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
As per sources, the special enforcement wing of Similipal Sough Wildlife Division from Dukura range conducted a raid on the night of January 12, leading to the arrest of the accused while they were trying to negotiate the sale of the black tiger’s skin.
The accused, identified as Ajambar Naik, Pitambar Naik, Rama Naik, and Bairam Murmu, are residents of Tentula and Balighat villages under Udala police limits in the district. They were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Baripada on January 13 and sent on judicial custody.
As per reports, the arrests were made possible through a joint effort by the Similipal South WL Division and the State-level Joint Task Force (JTF).
Earlier some arrests were made in Balasore, where tiger claws were recovered. The information obtained during interrogation of the arrested persons led to the seizure of the tiger skin.
The poaching of the melanistic tiger was believed to have taken place in November 2024. Investigation is underway and search operation has been launched to track other accused in the case. Wildlife officials will determine the source of the tiger once the absconding accused are arrested.
