Bhubaneswar: As the state observes International Tiger Day to create awareness of the protection of big cats, the Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police has seized a leopard skin and arrested one person on charge of smuggling wildlife body parts.
Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said: “Tiger is a powerful icon of India’s cultural and natural heritage and the protection of the iconic animal is deeply linked to our ecology. On #InternationalTigerDay, let us pledge to further intensify our efforts to create a hospitable habitat for our national animal to flourish.”
Tiger is a powerful icon of India's cultural and natural heritage and the protection of the iconic animal is deeply linked to our ecology. On #InternationalTigerDay, let us pledge to further intensify our efforts to create a hospitable habitat for our national animal to flourish. pic.twitter.com/by8tAZvwWq
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) July 29, 2022
Acting on a tip-off the STF conducted a raid near Satpur chhak in Kalahandi district on Thursday and arrested one person on charges of dealing/possessing wildlife products.
Leopard skin and other incriminating materials were seized from the possession of the arrested person.
July 20, the STF also seized a leopard skin and arrested one person in Koraput district.
The STF since 2020 has seized at least 31 leopard skin and arrested 44 wildlife criminals, an official said.
PTI