Royal Bengal Tiger skin seized, Odisha man held in Nabarangpur

Forest officials in India's Odisha district apprehended a 41-year-old man on Sunday for his alleged involvement in trafficking a Royal Bengal Tiger skin. The arrest took place in the Nabarangpur district, a region increasingly scrutinized for wildlife crime.

Shibun Takri, identified as a pastor from Khaliguda village, was caught by an undercover team in the Patri Reserve Forest area. He was reportedly negotiating the sale of the tiger skin, which had been stitched, for ₹10 lakh (approximately $12,000 USD). The operation aimed to disrupt illegal wildlife trade routes operating within the state.

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Officials said the tiger skin, which had reportedly been stitched, was being offered for ₹10 lakh

During the arrest, two of Takri's associates managed to evade capture by escaping into the nearby forest. Forest officials believe this incident is indicative of a larger, more organized wildlife trafficking network operating within the region. A case has been registered against Takri under relevant wildlife protection laws, and investigations are ongoing to identify other potential members of the network and dismantle their operations.

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Forest officials suspect a larger wildlife trafficking network operating in the region.