Baripada, Jul 15: A poaching attempt inside the Similipal Tiger Reserve was successfully foiled after AI-enabled surveillance cameras installed in the Similipal South Wildlife Division captured images of suspected poachers, leading to the arrest of three individuals.

Acting on the AI-generated inputs, an enforcement team led by the Assistant Conservator of Forests launched a swift operation and apprehended the accused before they could carry out any wildlife crime. During the raid, officials seized four country-made firearms from the suspects.

A subsequent search of the residence of one of the accused led to the recovery of an old spotted deer antler, providing further evidence of alleged involvement in wildlife offences.

The arrested accused have been identified as Mahadev Singh (24), Sunaram Singh, and Gora Singh, all residents of the Kuliana area in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district.

The trio was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in Baripada. After their bail pleas were rejected, they were remanded to judicial custody for offences under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Forest officials said efforts are underway to trace and arrest another suspected poacher linked to the case. In addition to the wildlife charges, a separate case will be registered at the jurisdictional police station under the Arms Act for possession of illegal firearms.

Officials credited the AI-based camera surveillance system with enabling the early detection of suspicious movement inside the sanctuary, allowing the enforcement team to respond quickly and prevent a potential poaching incident.