Six Arrested, Including School Teacher, in Pangolin Trafficking Racket Near Kuldiha Sanctuary

Balasore: In a major crackdown on wildlife crime, Forest Department officials have arrested six more individuals — including a government school teacher — for their alleged involvement in an illegal wildlife trafficking network operating in and around Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha’s Balasore district.

During the operation, officials seized 13 pangolin scales, eight mobile phones, and three motorcycles from the accused. All six were produced before a local court, forest officials said.

The arrests follow sustained investigations into a poaching case that surfaced last month. On January 22, a forest team led by Kuldiha Range Officer Subrat Behera had busted a poaching gang during a raid in the area. Based on information gathered during interrogation and further intelligence inputs, forest personnel intensified surveillance and carried out a series of targeted raids, leading to the latest breakthrough.

With these arrests made on Wednesday, the total number of people held in connection with the case has risen to 11 over the past two weeks. All are believed to be linked to the same wildlife trafficking network, according to the Forest Department.

Officials expressed concern over the involvement of a government assistant teacher among the accused, noting that individuals from varied professional backgrounds are increasingly being drawn into organised wildlife crimes for financial gain.

Pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals in the world and are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Any trade in their body parts is a punishable offence.

Forest authorities said investigations are ongoing to trace both the supply chain and potential buyers outside the region. They added that intensified anti-poaching and surveillance operations will continue in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding areas to curb illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking.