Leopard, deer skin seized; two poachers held

BARIPADA: Forest department officials have seized skins of a leopard and a deer from two poachers in Similipal Sanctuary area in Mayurbhanj district.

Following a tip-off, the hunters carrying the hides were nabbed by the mobile squad late last night at Sahadagadi Chhak on Khunta-Balimundulu road under Khunta Police station, forest department sources said.

The leopard skin was 5.7 feet long and 1.3 feet wide while the deer skin was 5.4 feet long and 2.3 feet wide.

The poachers were identified as Charan Ho (28) of Jadidhar and Ginduri Ho (24) of Baniabasa village under Khunta Police station.

"The hunters had collected the skins after shooting down a leopard and a deer inside the sanctuary about two months ago. They were taking the skins for sale," the sources said.