Angul, July 6 (UDN): The Forest Department has arrested four persons, including two wildlife watchers, for their alleged involvement in deer poaching inside the Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha.
The arrests followed a joint operation by forest officials after receiving intelligence about illegal hunting activities in the protected forest area. During the investigation, officials reportedly recovered the carcass of a deer along with weapons and other materials suspected to have been used in the poaching.
According to forest officials, two of the arrested persons were engaged as wildlife watchers in the sanctuary. Their alleged involvement has raised concerns over the misuse of their positions and prompted the department to initiate a detailed inquiry into the incident.
The accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and produced before the court. Officials said efforts are underway to determine whether the accused are linked to a larger wildlife poaching network operating in the region.
The Forest Department has intensified patrolling and surveillance across the sanctuary following the incident and reiterated its commitment to curbing wildlife crimes through strict enforcement of conservation laws.
Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary, spread across Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Boudh districts, is one of Odisha’s most ecologically significant protected areas and is home to several endangered and protected wildlife species. Officials have appealed to local communities to share information on any suspected wildlife offences to help strengthen conservation efforts.