Odisha Man Held For Poaching Collared Kingfisher, Posting It On Social Media

Kendrapada: A man was arrested after photos and videos showing him poaching a collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) in a prawn farm around Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapada district went viral on social media.

The arrested poacher has been identified as Gurupada Dalai of Pataparia village.

The accused poached a collared kingfisher as the bird dived into the prawn farm of Dalai to catch prawn at Bandhamala village under Rajkanika block, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Bhitarkanika National Park, Sudarshan Gopinath Yadav was quoted by PTI as saying.

The photos and videos of the killing of the kingfisher by the accused went viral, leading to an outrage on social media platforms.

Dalai was arrested on Thursday under the relevant sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as the bird is a protected species under the law and further investigation was underway, added the forest officer.

The Bhitarkanika national park is home to eight different species of kingfisher, including the collared kingfisher.

All these species are blessed with their characteristic large heads, long-sharp and pointed beaks, short legs and stubby tails. They consume a wide range of prey ranging from fishes to geckos and other small invertebrates, added the forest officer.