Malkangiri: A team from the forest department seized leopard skin from three wildlife smugglers inside Motu forest in Odisha’s Malkangiri district on Thursday.
The accused have been identified as Mukesh Madkami, Penta Madkami, and Dula Madkami, all residents of Mangipali village of Manmakunda panchayat under the Motu police limits.
According to sources, the forest department officials conducted a raid in Manakunda village on the basis of reliable information and seized a leopard skin measuring about 1.13 metres in length. A two-wheeler was also seized from their possession.
“A probe has been launched to track down wildlife smugglers in the area. All the arrested will be forwarded to the court,” said Malkangiri Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Pratap Kotakpalli.
