Two Arrested in Bhubaneswar for Leopard Skin Trade

Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police arrested two persons in Bhubaneswar on charges of attempting to sell leopard skin illegally. The arrest took place on Info Valley Road following a tip-off about a wildlife trafficking deal.

The accused, identified as Rajesh Nayak and Gayadhara Nayak alias Gangadhara—both residents of Banibiri in Nayagarh district—were caught red-handed while trying to strike a deal for ₹2.5 lakh, according to STF SP Rabi Satpathy.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the duo had been operating across forested regions in Boudh, Nayagarh, and Phulbani. They were allegedly sourcing wildlife products, including leopard skins and other animal parts, for illegal supply to buyers in West Bengal.

Officials said the leopard skin recovered from the duo belonged to an animal estimated to be around 10 years old and believed to have been killed roughly a month ago. The forest department has verified the authenticity of the skin, and further inquiry is underway.

The STF has also identified a suspected mastermind of the poaching network, known only as Satya, and is pursuing leads to locate and arrest him.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, and officials plan to inspect the suspected poaching site to investigate what happened to the leopard’s remaining body parts.

The crackdown marks another step in Odisha Police’s intensified drive against wildlife trafficking networks operating in the state.

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