Authorities from Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) seized three leopard skins and arrested seven individuals, including a government primary school teacher, for illegal wildlife trading in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Wednesday. Following a tip-off, STR officials raided Kutling and Chandanchaturi villages, recovering skins from two five-year-old leopards and one one-year-old leopard, according to STR Deputy Director Samrat Gowda.

The arrested, including teacher Manaranjan Tipiria, are connected to poaching networks in Similipal and Chhattisgarh forests. The origin of the leopards’ killings is still under investigation, but the operation marks a significant effort to combat wildlife trafficking in the region, with officials committed to pursuing further leads.

Also Read: BJD’s Massive Protest Over Student Death Shuts Balasore, Odisha Secretariat Stormed