Temple priest among four arrested as Forest Dept seizes tiger skin in Rayagada

The Odisha Forest Department seized a tiger skin and arrested four people, including a temple priest, in Rayagada district. The operation was carried out by forest personnel from the Gunupur and Gudari ranges, acting under instructions from the Divisional Forest Officer and in the presence of two Assistant Conservators of Forests. The raid took place near the Kannpadu temple within the Naira section of the Gudari range. Officials stated that the temple priest, Gouri Shankar Rana, tried to escape with the illicit animal pelt before being overpowered by the team. The forest department stated that the tiger skin seizure busted an active poaching and smuggling ring. Following the arrests, the forest department launched an intensive investigation to trace the trafficking network, determine where the tiger was hunted, check if it was killed in local sanctuaries or brought from elsewhere, and find other syndicate members involved in the illegal wildlife trade.