Forest officials detained two persons on the charge of smuggling of a rare Indian chameleon at Chandkhol in Jajpur district on Thursday.
The duo was caught following a raid by the police and forest officials during the deal for the chameleon. They were identified as Banshidhar Swain of Bhaliapeta village and Mayadhar Barik of village Kalonigoda.
The species of chameleons are protected under the International Trade in Endangered Species Act and Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, said Chandikhol Forster Rabinarayan Mohanty.
“We released the seized chameleon in the nearby forest on Friday. Forest officials are interrogating those arrested,” he added.