A taxidermist was nabbed and 25 kg of raw venison and an auto-rickshaw used for transporting the meat were seized from his possession on Wednesday.
According to Mahakalapada Forest Ranger Shahaji Biswal, Pradip Daswas detained by the locals of Kentia village at Kentia chowk onGojiabandha –Ramnagar road after the former was seen taking 25 kg ofraw venison in an auto rickshaw and heading towards Bahakuda ghat todeliver the meat in the Paradip Port area. Being informed, the forestpersonnel reached at the spot and arrested Das, who is an autorickshaw driver. Das with the help of his associates trespassed intothe Kharanashi protected forest and killed a spotted deer, aftertrapping it with the help of a snare.
According to Biswal, Das was booked under the offences of WildlifeProtection Act 1972 and was produced before a local court where thecourt rejected his bail plea and remanded him into jail custody.
Das was wanted by forest personnel for last six months in poachingcases earlier. Meanwhile, raid was on to nab the other accomplices, informed Biswal.