The Odisha Forest department arrested a 35-year-old man after carcasses of 33 migratory birds were found in two gunny bags he was carrying near a water body under Chilika Wildlife Division, police said Wednesday. The 33 birds belonged to three different species.

The accused was identified as Pradeep Mallick of Bhusandapur area. He was caught red-handed with dead birds in two gunny bags during patrolling, said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Chilika Wildlife Division, Amlan Nayak. Another accused person involved in poaching of birds in the lake, however, managed to flee from the spot. Search was on to arrest him, he said.

The seized carcasses of Northern Shoveller (9), Northern pintail (23) and a Pheasant-tailed jacan were found in his possession, the DFO said, adding that the birds come

See Full Page