Balasore, Dec 24: The Kuldiha Forest Division in the Nilagiri area of Balasore district has achieved a major breakthrough in its crackdown on wildlife crime. Forest officials have arrested six poachers and wildlife traders from the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary and seized a large cache of illegal items, including 146 pangolin scales, a country-made firearm, zinc traps, bows and arrows, and explosive materials.

Officials said that a total of 22 poachers and traders have been arrested within the last two weeks. The operation initially led to the arrest of three poachers with the help of AI-enabled surveillance cameras. Subsequent arrests were made through mobile phone tracking, leading to the dismantling of a wider network.

The arrests have so far been made from the Guhalia, Hatikhulia, and Panchalingeshwar areas. Investigations have also uncovered an active racket involved in exhuming decomposed elephant carcasses to extract bones, which were allegedly used in the manufacture of ivory products.

Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Shobhan Diganta Chand said that stricter action will be taken against those involved in wildlife crime and further operations will continue in the coming days.