Balasore: Forest officials on Wednesday arrested four poachers in connection with an organised wildlife meat trade and poaching racket operating in the Kuladiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
The latest arrests follow the detection of an illegal network that used mobile phones and WhatsApp groups to coordinate the hunting and sale of wildlife meat and forest products. Investigators found that details such as hunting locations, supply chains, buyers, and delivery points were shared through WhatsApp groups.
Officials said poaching activities had been increasing in the Kuladiha Sanctuary, with the accused allegedly hunting wild animals inside the forest and selling the meat outside.
Those arrested are suspected to be involved in the illegal trade of wildlife products, including saw-scaled vipers, elephant tusks, and meat from hunted wild animals.
