Leopard skin seized in Odisha’s Nuapada, 1 held for wildlife body part smuggling

In a major crackdown on wildlife smuggling, Odisha Forest Department officials seized a leopard skin in Nuapada district’s Sinapali block and arrested one person. Acting on a tip-off, the team intercepted the accused with the hide near Chatiaguda Chhak. Authorities believe the seizure is linked to a larger poaching network, and investigations are underway to track more culprits.

Leopard skin seized in Odisha’s Nuapada, 1 held for wildlife body part smuggling

Leopard skin seized by Sinapali forest range personnel

time

In a crackdown against wildlife body part smuggling, the Forest Department seized a leopard skin from a place under the Sinapali block in Nuapada district and arrested one person involved in this illegal trade, official sources said on Wednesday.

Also Read: Leopard skin seized during raid; 3 poachers arrested in Nayagarh

Acting on specific intelligence, a team from the Sinapali forest range in the district intercepted a motorcycle near Chatiaguda Chhak. Upon thorough inspection, the officials recovered a leopard hide — a species often targeted by poachers for its valuable pelt.

The accused, identified as Hrusikesh Bag of Sinapali village, was taken into custody on the spot following a surprise raid. After preliminary interrogation, he was produced in court and remanded to judicial custody.

Forest officials believe the seized leopard skin was part of a larger illegal trafficking network. Investigations are ongoing to trace the source and intended buyers.

The district Forest Department has reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on wildlife crime and preserving endangered species through active surveillance and coordinated enforcement actions.

“On August 25, Sinapali forest range was tipped off about a man carrying a leopard hide between 9.00 PM to 10.00 PM near Chatiaguda village under Sinapali tehsil. A team of forest personnel raided the spot leading to the seizure of a leopard skin, a scooter, and the arrest of the illegal trader,” Khariar divisional forest officer (DFO) Ajeez Khan said.

“We had arrested Hrusikesh Bag of Sinapali village in this connection after further probe. The accused was forwarded to court today,” the DFO stated to mediapersons.

Earlier in another incident, forest officials in Nayagarh district had detained three suspects on May 21 on the charges of hunting a leopard and smuggling its skin. Arrests were later made during a raid in Gania forest range under Nayagarh forest division, where forest authorities seized the leopard hide and weapons used in poaching activities.

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