Poacher held, 2 birds seized

BERHAMPUR: Wildlife officials arrested a bird poacher from the Chilika Lake and seized two birds, one alive, from his possession on Saturday night. The accused was identified as Pandab Sahoo, 40, of Budhakera near Bramhagiri in Puri district.
"The wildlife personnel caught the poacher at Nairi in the lake under Tangi wildlife rage while patrolling," said divisional forest officer, Chilika Wildlife Division, Bikash Ranjan Dash.The net, which was used to catch birds, was also seized, he said.
While the seized live spoon bill stock was released after treatment, the dead bird of the same species was buried after postmortem, official sources said.
This was the second bird poaching incident in the lake in the last four days. On Wednesday, the wildlife personnel had arrested two persons in the blue lagoon and seized at least 10 dead birds from them. The dead birds included large whistling teal (2), garganey (2) and shoveller (1). The poachers have been active ever since the winged guests have started thronged the lake with the onset of winter. There is a huge demand for the meat of birds in the nearby towns, the sources added.
At least 18 anti-poaching camps have been set up in the lake. The camps will function till the birds start of their homeward journey in March, the DFO said. Around one lakh birds have flocked to the lake so far. Most of them are seen in 15-59-sqkm Nalabana bird sanctuary, Mangalajodi, Bhusandapur and Sorana, the sources added.