Dhenkanal: At least three men including a poacher were arrested by forest personnel in Dhenkanal district Sunday afternoon during a raid at Padhanatangara village under Kapilash forest range.
Five antler hides as well as two unlicensed guns were recovered from their possession, department officials informed.
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The accused were trying to sell out the hides when forest department team conducted the raid. The poacher was known to be Ashok Nath of Gadia area. The three were produced before a local court, department official sources added.
The accused used to hunt from Kamakhya, Kapileswar and Pirabandra areas in Dhenkanal district.
Allegedly, poaching activities have become rampant in the region. Taking advantage of the sporadic patrolling in nearby forests, local poachers have intensified hunting of wild animals.
On the other hand, the enforcing agencies claimed breakthrough in putting a check on smuggling of wild animals.
PNN