Leopard skin worth Rs 5 lakh seized in Nabarangpur, 3 arrested

In a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking, the Forest Department seized a leopard skin valued at around Rs 5 lakh during a covert operation in Nabarangpur district of Odisha. The seizure was made near Nunupani village under the Kodinga forest range while an alleged illegal deal to sell the skin was underway.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a special team of the Forest Department laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed during the transaction. Three persons, including two alleged sellers from Jharigaon block and one buyer, were arrested in connection with the case.

All three accused have been taken into custody and are being interrogated to ascertain the source of the leopard skin and the extent of the wildlife trafficking network involved.

Forest officials said similar cases of illegal trade in animal skins and wildlife parts have been reported from the region in the past, raising concerns over organised poaching activities. In view of the seriousness of the case, the department has constituted a special investigation team to trace the main accused and identify the supply chain behind the crime.

However, the officials are yet to confirm where the leopard was hunted from or the age of the animal. Further investigation is underway, and more details are awaited.