Bhubaneswar, Oct 28: The Forest Department has arrested a former Merchant Navy marine engineer for allegedly attempting to sell a pair of sambar deer antlers for Rs 5 lakh through social media. The accused, identified as Pritam Patnaik, was apprehended near Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1 in Bhubaneswar, and the antlers were seized from his possession.

Patnaik, a resident of Madhusudan Nagar near Niko Park in Bhubaneswar, had reportedly been unemployed since leaving his Merchant Navy job in May. According to the investigation, the antlers had been hanging in his family home for several years.

A few days ago, Patnaik allegedly posted a photograph of the antlers on his father's Facebook account, offering them for sale. The post also included his father's mobile phone number for prospective buyers to make contact. The pair was initially advertised for Rs 6 lakh.

Acting on the information, City Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Amresh Pradhan directed a team led by Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Vivek Das to investigate the suspected wildlife trafficking attempt.

As part of the operation, Das posed as a prospective buyer and contacted Patnaik by phone. After negotiations, the deal was reportedly finalised at Rs 5 lakh. Patnaik was then asked to meet the prospective buyer in a lane behind Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1.

A Forest Department team waiting at the location apprehended him when he arrived for the transaction.

A case has been registered against Patnaik under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, and he has been forwarded to court.

The seized antlers will undergo carbon dating to help determine their age and establish when the animal may have been killed, officials said.

The investigation is expected to establish the origin of the antlers and whether they are linked to an illegal hunting incident.