Nabarangpur: In a major crackdown on wildlife smuggling, the Forest Department seized a leopard skin measuring around six feet in length and arrested two alleged inter-district wildlife smugglers in Nabarangpur district.
The accused, identified as Kunu Kumbhar and Duryodhan Golari of neighbouring Koraput district, were apprehended during a special joint operation carried out in the Simanta Malbeda Protected Forest area under the Umarkote and Kodinga Forest Divisions.
Forest officials said the duo was allegedly waiting for customers to sell the leopard skin when the raiding team caught them red-handed.
The operation was conducted under the leadership of Nabarangpur Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Subas Chandra Khuntia and Kodinga Range Officer Purna Chandra Nanda.
Apart from the leopard skin, officials also seized a motorcycle allegedly used for smuggling activities.
Both accused were arrested and later forwarded to court. Forest officials said further investigation is underway to ascertain whether more persons are linked to the wildlife trafficking network.
