Berhampur: Forest officials arrested four suspected poachers in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Tuesday and seized wildlife parts, weapons, and explosives during a raid in Budhamba village, officials said.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Ayan Rait (35), Subudhi Mandal (62), Jakab Sabar (54), and Buda Sabar (50).
Acting on a tip-off, a team from the Forest Department conducted coordinated raids on several houses in the village, leading to the arrests. During the operation, officials recovered dry meat and bones of wild boar, porcupine quills, and other wildlife remains.
The seizure also included three country-made firearms, an axe, four wooden catapults, five sharp cutting weapons, mud pellets, lead, and around 50 grams of explosives.
According to forest officials, preliminary investigations suggest that the accused had hunted the wild animals a few months ago and stored the body parts in their homes. The items were allegedly kept for personal consumption and for sale in local markets.
“The porcupine quills are believed to fetch a high price in the black market due to superstitious beliefs associated with them,” an official said.
Efforts are currently underway to ascertain the exact location and time of the hunting incidents. Forest authorities have also launched a search operation to identify and nab other members of the suspected poaching network.
Further investigation is in progress.
