Investigation teeth to Similipal staff

BHUBANESWAR: The staff of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district henceforth can investigate elephant poisoning cases. Earlier, forest staff were looking after the investigation part. The STR staff were given training during a workshop on 'Wildlife crimes, investigation and intelligence collection, which was organized by the STR in collaboration with Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, on Monday.

"The STR staff shared their difficulties in tracking poachers with the wildlife experts. They were not aware of intricacies of dealing with wildlife crimes, the system of interrogating the violators and preparing documents for prosecuting them. The staff were also imparted training on how to collect intelligence inputs," said regional chief conservator of forests (RCCF) Anup Naik.

In the last four years, as many as 20 elephants were poisoned to death. Last year alone poachers poisoned three elephants. The sanctuary had 350 elephants in 2009. Although 20 of them were killed by poachers, birth of 23 elephants in last four years has helped the sanctuary maintain the jumbo population, officials said.

"Elephants are poisoned in different ways. The staff here are not well trained to recognize from the symptoms that whether an elephant has been poisoned," said a wildlife official. He said elephants don't die immediately after poisoning. So recognizing the sysmptoms and providing them timely treatment are important aspects wildlife training.