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Leopard Skin Seized
In a joint crack down, the Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch and Baliguda Forest Department personnel seized a leopard skin near Sipigida village in Kandhamal district on Wednesday.
One person has been arrested for the illegal possession of the wildlife product. The accused has been identified as Bidyadhar Nayak of Hatapada Sahi village in the district.
On the basis of reliable information, the joint team conducted a raid at Sipigida village and caught Nayak red-handed while he was making a deal to sale the skin.
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During a search, the leopard skin and other incriminating materials were seized from Nayak’s possession. He was subsequently put under arrest.
The STF team has launched an investigation into the incident.
In the last one year, the STF has seized as many as 16 leopard skins, nine elephant tusks, two deer skins, four live pangolins and 15 kg pangolin scales and have arrested 33 wildlife criminals in connection with the recoveries.
Earlier in July 10 this year, a team of Wildlife Protection personnel had busted a leopard skin smuggling syndicate in Kalanandi district. As many as three leopard skins and two nails of the big cats had been recovered from them. Four members of the syndicate were arrested for possession of the wildlife products.