Baripada, May 21: Wildlife officials have seized the skin of a melanistic tiger cub, estimated to be around two years old, in a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking in the Similipal Tiger Reserve region.
Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the alleged poaching and attempted sale of the rare tiger skin.
Based on specific intelligence inputs, the enforcement team of the Similipal South Division conducted an operation in the Basipitha area under the jurisdiction of Khunta police station and intercepted the accused while they were reportedly trying to sell the skin.
The arrested persons have been identified as Gangadhar Murmu (62) from Kusumghati under Khunta police station, Ramdas Hembram (40) from Katharuma under Kuliana police station, and Bhima Baskey (40) from Joka under Bangiriposi police station. All are residents of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
Deputy Area Director of Similipal South Division, Sumit Kar, said the tiger cub was approximately two years old and added that investigations are continuing to uncover the wider poaching network and trace any other individuals involved in the crime.
