Berhampur: Wildlife officials found the carcasses of two birds from Pani Juar, near Mangalajodi in Chilika Lake, on the late evening of Saturday.
“The carcasses of Indian spot-billed ducks were found lying in the water by the anti-poaching personnel during patrolling in the area. The poachers might have fled upon noticing the anti-poaching team. The search was intensified to nab the accused persons,” said Biraja Dash, Range Officer, Tangi Range in Chilika Wildlife Division.He suspects the birds were poisoned by poachers. However, they did not arrest anyone in this regard.
“The bird samples will be sent to the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar for forensic examination to confirm the cause of death, he added.
This incident marks the first case registered under the Wildlife Act in the Tangi Wildlife Range this bird migratory season. Earlier, 16 individuals were arrested, mostly fishermen, for their allegedly illegal entry to the Nalabana, a wildlife sanctuary area inside the lake.
“To curb poaching, patrolling was intensified round the clock in the area. Special emphasis was given to vulnerable areas like Nalabana, the bird sanctuary, and Tangi Range areas,” said Amlan Nayak, divisional forest officer (DFO) Chilika. He said they also utilised drones in the lake to detect poaching activities. He said 21 temporary anti-poaching camps have been established in the lake to keep watch on poaching.