Odisha forest officials have arrested three individuals and seized the skin of a rare melanistic tiger in Similipal Tiger Reserve, highlighting the ongoing threat of poaching to these unique animals.
Key Points
- Odisha forest officials arrested three people for poaching a rare melanistic tiger.
- The tiger skin was seized during a raid in the Similipal Tiger Reserve.
- This is the third reported case of black tiger poaching in Similipal.
- The seized skin is suspected to be from a two-year-old tiger cub.
- An investigation is underway to uncover the wider poaching network.
Forest officials of Odisha's Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) have arrested three persons and seized the skin of a rare melanistic tiger, officials said on Thursday.
Rare Black Tiger Poaching Concerns
Officials said this was the third reported case of black tiger poaching in Similipal, the only place in the world where melanistic tigers are found in the wild.
Two similar poaching cases had earlier surfaced in 2025 and March this year, they said.
Details of the Seizure
The skin, seized during a raid on Wednesday, is suspected to be that of a two-year-old tiger cub, STR deputy director Sumit Kar said.
He said the raid was conducted on the Basipitha-Bhupat Road based on intelligence inputs about a deal involving wildlife body parts.
The accused were caught while allegedly negotiating the deal, he said.
Accused Identified
The arrested persons were identified as Gangadhar Murmu (62), Ramdas Hembram (40) and Bhima Baskey (40), all residents of Mayurbhanj district.
Officials also seized three motorcycles and two mobile phones from them.
Ongoing Investigation
Kar said further investigation was underway to trace the wider poaching network and identify others involved in the case.
