8 Wildlife Smugglers Held With Leopard Skin In Odisha’s Mayurbhanj

Baripada: Eight wildlife smugglers were arrested by police and a leopard skin was seized from them in Bangriposi area of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Wednesday.

According to sources, the accused were caught at an eatery along the National Highway No. 49 at Katara under the jurisdiction of Bangriposi police station while they were trying to strike a deal to sell the leopard skin.

Acting on a tip off, a team of police personnel carried out a raid at the roadside eatery and caught the eight accused persons red-handed. The leopard skin was also seized from them.

All the accused persons are stated to be the residents of different villages under Bangriposi and Jharpokharia police limits. They have admitted to have brought the skin from Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary area after killing a leopard, sources said.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the accused persons are part of a wider wildlife smuggling racket.

It may be noted here that three wildlife smugglers were arrested  and a leopard skin and more than Rs one lakh seized from them from Khunta area of Mayurbhanj district barely a fortnight ago.