Nuapada: In a shocking incident, a leopard was allegedly killed in an electric trap set up by poachers to hunt wild boars in a forest near Deodhara village in Komna block of Nuapada district. The accused reportedly consumed the leopard’s meat after the killing.
The incident came to light after the Forest Department received information and launched an investigation. Acting on the orders of Khariar Divisional Forest Officer Aziz Khan, a team visited the area and arrested two of the four accused. The other two remain absconding.
Khariar Forest Ranger Debadutt Sutar confirmed that the accused had confessed to their crime. They admitted to planting the electric trap on November 16 and later consuming the meat of the dead leopard.
To prevent the investigation from being compromised, the Forest Department has withheld the identities of the arrested individuals. Efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.
This incident has raised concerns about poaching and the exploitation of wildlife in the region. The Forest Department is intensifying its efforts to prevent such illegal activities and safeguard the biodiversity of the area.