Two poachers arrested, 10 kg wild boar meat seized in Odisha

Two poachers were arrested and 10 kg raw wild boar meat seized from them, Bhitarkanika National Park authorities in Kendrapara district said on Saturday.

The duo, Panchanan Mandal and Banamali Das, confessed that the gang used to trap and kill wild boar deer species at regular intervals, forest officials said.

"Besides the raw meat, hide of the boar, nets and nylon loops used for trapping the animals were seized during a raid in Vektakhol reserve forest block in the core area of the national park. While the duo was intercepted, three of their accomplices fled," said Manoj Kumar Mahapatra, Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division.

They had spread out nylon nets with loops to ensnare the deer and wild boar. The gang members indulged in wildlife poaching activity in recent past. They were adept in the poaching of wild boar and deer species, he said.

The forest department has intensified vigil on poaching activity with constitution of anti-poaching squads to keep a close watch.

Stray cases of wildlife poaching have come to light recently. But the department has resolved to ensure the animals' safety, he added.