Four poachers arrested in Similipal Tiger Reserve

Four poachers were arrested in Similipal Tiger Reserve on Monday. The Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) stopped them while they were trying to hunt animals at night. Authorities seized four homemade guns and other materials from the poachers. So far this year, Similipal authorities have captured 195 poachers and have confiscated 150 weapons. The STPF used smart cameras to track the movements of these poachers in the forest. "We set up an ambush, keeping a watch 24/7," said Prakash Gogineni, the field director. The poachers were prepared to stay in the forest for two nights with food supplies. The arrested individuals are Gansa Sing (22), Barju Sing (19), Mura Sing Bankhira (26), and Kartik Sing Bankhira (25), all from Hudisahi village. Officials also found explosives and other illegal materials with them. The police filed a case against the poachers for violating the Arms Act and another under the Wildlife Protection Act. This incident marks the latest in a series of wildlife crime arrests in Similipal. About a month ago, six poachers were caught after killing a mouse deer in the area. The use of modern technology has helped authorities improve their crime-fighting efforts. In the past year, Similipal South division has recorded the most wildlife crime cases in the region.