The Lakhari Forest in Ganjam district is the biggest in south Odisha. It is home for tigers, elephants, deer, peacocks and many other animals. But due to rampant poaching, their numbers are dwindling.
Paralakhemundi DFO Sangram Keshari Behera on Tuesday got information about a five-year-old deer hunted by poachers. He immediately rushed to the spot and seized the animal’s carcass. During postmortem it was ascertained the deer was hunted down with a country made gun.Later, the DFO conducted a probe and managed to nab one of the poachers Lajar Majhi from Guba village under the police station and forwarded him to court. But one of his associates is still at large.
Behera said various steps like intensive patrolling are being taken to stop poaching in the sanctuary and keep the animals safe.