Poacher Arrested with Tiger Cub Skin in Mayurbhanj Anti-Poaching Operation

Baripada (Mayurbhanj): Forest officials on Tuesday arrested a poacher and seized the skin of a three-year-old tiger cub during a major anti-poaching operation in Mayurbhanj district. The accused has been identified as Raju Alda.

According to Baripada Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Gobinda Chandra Biswal, the tiger cub had been killed by poachers about a month ago. Intelligence inputs suggested that the culprits were in contact with a trader to sell the tiger skin.

Acting on the tip-off, forest officials laid a trap by posing as traders and reached Sarasposi village near the Bangriposi forest range. Unaware of the plan, Alda brought out the tiger skin from a bag while attempting to sell it. At that moment, Bangriposi Forest Ranger Maheswar Singh and his team intercepted and apprehended him. Ranger Singh said the operation was conducted under the guidance of DFO Biswal.

During questioning, the accused claimed he had come only to sell the skin and named another youth from the village as being involved. The forest department stated that the other suspect is a resident of Charabandh village under Bangriposi block of the Talabandha range in Simlipal.

Raju Alda was medically examined and formally arrested. The DFO said further investigation is underway to trace other individuals involved in the poaching and illegal wildlife trade.