Poachers Caught With Deer Meat in Odisha

Forest officials in Kendrapada district apprehended two poachers, seizing 10 kg of spotted deer meat. The arrests occurred on Saturday morning at Sasanapeta Protected Reserve Forest, within the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.

Acting on a tip-off, authorities searched the residence of one poacher, leading to the discovery of the meat, a sharp weapon, and four traps. The arrested individuals, Uttam Kamila and Ramakrushna Kamila, confessed to killing a spotted deer on Friday night using a trap. They were apprehended while intending to sell the venison in a local market.

Both poachers were charged under specific sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. A court subsequently rejected their bail applications, remanding them to judicial custody. Environmentalists note that poachers often use nylon ropes and trained dogs to hunt animals like deer and wild boars in the mangrove forests.

Summer conditions have reportedly led to insufficient fodder and water within the park, causing animals to stray into village fields. This makes them easier targets for poachers. The Gahirmatha Marine Turtle and Mangrove Conservation Society has raised concerns about the impact on the region's wildlife populations.