Elephant poacher nabbed, confesses to have killed four tuskers in Odisha

Cuttack: Forest officials launched an operation to bust wildlife racket after arresting a member of elephant poaching gang late on Wednesday night here.

The accused was identified as Matia Swain, a resident of Khairipanga village under Badamba police limits in Athagarh forest range.

During interrogation, he reportedly revealed that he had killed four elephants for tusks.

He was arrested during a raid at Khairipanga village while he was moving with an antler and a country-made rifle last night.

Matia confessed that he along with his gang had poached four elephants in Athgarh and Narasinghpur forest area in February and sold the tusks.

According to reports, the poaching gang has sold the tusks at prices of Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh in Nayagarh.

Based on his statement, the efforts are underway to nab other members of the poaching gang, informed Athagarh DFO Sasmita Lenka.