Leopard Skin Seized, One Detained In Odisha’s Gajapati

Representative Image

Parlakhemudi: The STF on Wednesday seized a leopard skin and detained one person in this connection in Gajapati district.

Acting on reliable information, a team of STF with the help of Ramgiri Forest Officials conducted raid on the road between Machaghara and Khamari Sahi villages near Mahendragarh under R Udayagiri police limits. During the raid, the team apprehended Pabitra Lima of Khamari Sahi belonging to the area and seized a leopard skin and other incriminating materials from his possession.

As Pabitra could not produce any document in support of possession of the leopard skin, he was detained and later, handed over to Ramgiri Forest Officials for necessary legal action.

The leopard skin will be sent to Wild Life Institute of India, Deharadun for chemical examination. Further investigation is on.

During its special drive against the wildlife criminals and poachers till date, the STF has seized 26 leopard skins, 15 elephant tusks, 7 deer skins, 11 live pangolins, 19.5 kg of pangolin scales, 2 leopard teeth, 29 leopard claws, 46 live wild parrot and arrested 60 persons for smuggling wildlife products.