KalingaTimes Correspondent
Kendrapara(Odisha), July 6: In the latest wildlife offence in Odisha's Bhitarkanika national park, the forest department personnel have seized 24 kg raw deer meat besides antlers and hides of a felled male spotted deer.

They have also arrested the kingpin of a poaching syndicate active in spotted deer-infested mangrove forest of this internationally acclaimed wetland.

Poacher Sukadev Bhakta was intercepted while he was selling the raw meat in Ramnagar marketplace under Mahakalpada police limits, 45 km from here.

The accused had trapped the feline species on Saturday in the Kharinasi reserve forest. After killing the animal, he had buried the antler and hide in the forest area, said forest officials.

Later, the mortal remains of the deer were retrieved inside the forest area. The accused reportedly confessed to the crime. Search is on to arrest four other members of the poaching racket.

The fast breeding spotted deer whose growth has been phenomenal in recent years are falling easy prey to poaching syndicates in and around the national park.

Despite stepped up vigil to curb the killing of mute species, the poaching activity is picking up as deer most often stray into places of human habitation in close proximity of the core area of the park.

The species are ensnared with consummate ease with nylon nets fitted with loops.

Majority of such wildlife offences escapes the notice of forest personnel because of the fact that the killing takes place outside the forest.

As many as 410 tiny hamlets have sprung up in vicinity of protected forest posing threat to flora and fauna of this wetland.