Rayagada: The Forest Department has seized two tiger skins and arrested five persons in the Rayagada district. Three bikes and a knife were also seized from the accused. The skins were being taken to Kashipur Haat for sale, reportedly valued at Rs 30 lakh.
The arrested persons are Gopi Goud, Guptesh Gouda of Sunger village in Kashipur block, Iswar Naik of Amarasinguda, Suar Singh Majhi of Pudgasil village and Kalu Majhi of Kadikipadar village.
This incident points to a larger wildlife trafficking network.
Earlier in September, two leopard skins were seized and four poachers were arrested. A team from Mumbai, had busted an international wildlife smuggling racket near Kolnara in Rayagada district. According to reports, two smugglers from Gunupur of Rayagada district and two from Nagpur area of Maharashtra have been arrested with two leopard skins that were to be smuggled out of the country.
