As many as four leopard skins were seized and three wildlife smugglers were arrested in this connection during a raid by Baripada Forest Department at Bahalada village in the district on Sunday.
Acting on a tip-off about the wildlife smuggling from reliable sources, Baripada Forest Department under the leadership of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) conducted the raid and recovered the leopard skins.
Further investigation into the incident is underway to ascertain whether the skins were procured from someone else or the supplier had obtained those skins after killing the leopards.
The arrested persons are being questioned about wildlife smuggling. Baripada DFO refused to divulge more information about the incident.