Similipal Tiger Reserve Authorities Arrest Notorious Elephant Tusks Poacher After 18-Month Manhunt

Bhubaneswar:

Similipal Tiger Reserve authorities on Friday arrested a hardcore poacher and smuggler involved in the trade of elephant tusks after 18 months of chase. In Nov 2023, poachers killed an elephant and fled with the tusks.

Since then, Jogeswar Dehuri, 28, the mastermind from Jashipur in Mayurbhanj district, was on the run. Earlier, 22 people had been arrested.“After 18 months of chase, one accused linked to elephant poaching and illegal trade of elephant tusks was nabbed in the jurisdiction of the national park in Similipal. He was arrested from his house based on intelligence input. Despite repeated attempts to catch him, Jogeswar managed to escape.

We had issued a non-bailable warrant against him considering the sensitivity of the matter,” said deputy director (South Similipal) Samrat Gowda.Jogeswar was remanded in judicial custody after his bail plea was rejected by a court. “This arrest bears testimony to our commitment to bust the entire elephant poaching gang in Similipal to make it a safe place for elephants,” Gowda added.After the tusks were found missing from the particular elephant, three forest personnel, who were arrested, burnt the carcass purportedly to destroy evidence.

Earlier, the tusks were recovered. Sources said the poachers with skills to hunt wild animals, especially elephants, live in fringe villages. They know and understand the terrain and topography of the reserve. The poachers also know how to extract the tusks using acid and a saw or even an axe.

At times, the lower-rung employees, who guard the forest, are mute spectators while the hunt goes on. The poachers are also from the tribal community and may be their brethren, sources said.The carcass of the young tusker was burnt on Dec 8, 2023, and this was revealed to the wildlife department by the villagers of Bakua (located in the core area in Jenabil range). It was killed in Nov 2023.