Bhubaneswar, Dec 17: A poacher was arrested for allegedly poaching over two dozens of birds near Chilika lake, a senior forest official said on Tuesday.
The arrested has been identified as Alok Pradhan (28), a native of Ujjala Gopinathpur within Tangi wildlife range.
Wildlife officials caught him red-handed on Sunday evening with carcasses of 29 birds of seven different species including five migratory ones.
Preliminary investigation by Chilika Wildlife Division revealed that the poacher was keeping an eye on the movement of the patrol staff by using binoculars to avoid detection.
Acting on a tip-off, forest officials conducted an intense field patrolling to nab the poacher. A team of forest field staff comprising a forester, forest guards and squad members nabbed Pradhan from Raghuray gheri of Abhimanapur area in Tangi wildlife range.
“A total 29 birds of seven species such as Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Gargeney, Greyheaded Swamphen and Common Coot were seized from his possession,” said Amlan Nayak , divisional forest officer of Chilika wildlife division.
A large polythene bag, binoculars, a motorcycle and a mobile phone were seized from his possession.
