Baripada: In a coordinated anti-poaching operation in Mayurbhanj district, forest officials arrested two persons for illegal possession of wildlife materials, including sambar antlers, meat, and hunting traps.
The arrests were made following a series of intelligence inputs and AI-generated trail camera images from deep inside the Similipal Tiger Reserve.
On July 20, a Forest department team led by the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of the Similipal North Wildlife Division, in collaboration with officials from the Karanjia Division and the Dongadhia Wildlife Section of Similipal South Division, conducted simultaneous raids in Asankudar and Ranibhol villages under Thakurmunda police limits. The operation was carried out in the presence of an independent government witness.
The accused were identified as Fakira Chakia, aged 44, a resident of Asankudar village, and Kamala Dangil, aged 21, from Ranibhol village.
During the raid, Forest officials recovered a bow and arrows, traps intended for wild boar and birds, antlers of sambar deer—one of which had the head attached—along with sambar meat and a bamboo platform likely used as a lookout or hunting perch.
The two were produced in court and remanded to judicial custody on July 21.
Deputy Director of Similipal North Wildlife Division, Sai Kiran, who confirmed the development, said the department will continue to strengthen surveillance and enforcement to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade in and around the Similipal biosphere reserve.
