Rare melanistic tiger poached in Similipal Forest, 4 arrested in Odisha

Poaching of a rare melanistic tiger in Similipal forest has raised concerns over Odisha’s wildlife protection efforts, despite special forces being deployed. Forest officials seized the tiger's skin, arresting four poachers involved.

The arrests followed a raid on January 12 by the Dukura range forest personnel, who caught the suspects attempting to sell the black tiger’s skin. The accused, from nearby villages Beniadhara and Juguni Khunta, were presented before the Baripada Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on January 13.

The forest department’s special enforcement team from Similipal South Wildlife Division also arrested four individuals from Tentula and Balighat villages, recovering a juvenile tiger’s skin and claws. Earlier, suspects arrested in Balasore had confessed to hunting the melanistic tiger, aiding the investigation.

Poaching of the melanistic tiger is believed to have taken place in November 2024. Authorities are focusing on two additional suspects, who remain at large, as they continue efforts to dismantle the poaching network.