Poacher held, 4kg venison seized

Forest department sleuths today arrested an alleged poacher from Batighar village near Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in Kendrapara district and seized 4kg venison from him.

Balai Bhakta (55), a member of a poaching racket in the area, was arrested with raw deer meat and hides, a forest official said.

"Bhakta and his accomplices hunted down a spotted deer in the mangrove area of the park. They were booked under relevant sections of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972," he said.

The poachers had spread nylon nets with loops to ensnare deer and wild boar, the official said, adding that the department has launched a search operation to nab his accomplices, he said.