14 Dect 2022

BHUBANESWAR/BARIPADA : The bone samples collected from Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in connection with the suspected elephant poaching and its cover up by the field staff has been confirmed to be of a tusker.

Examination of the samples at OUAT’s Centre for Wildlife Health (CWH) ascertained them to be of an elephant. Lab test of the tissues also established the bones belonged to a male elephant, said PCCF (Wildlife) SK Popli.

On basis of the evidence, the Similipal authorities were directed to lodge an FIR against the forest staff who have been suspended under Wildlife Protection Act. “The accused will be arrested soon and criminal proceedings initiated against them for destroying the evidence,” Popli said. 

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