In a major crackdown on wildlife crime, Odisha forest officials arrested 11 suspected poachers in Athagarh today, recovering over 800 dead bats hidden in three sacks inside an abandoned timber factory.
The operation, prompted by a local tip-off, exposed a poaching syndicate operating in the Khuntuni forest range, raising concerns about a larger network behind the illegal trade.
Acting on intelligence, Range Officer Nilamadhaba Sahu led two forest squads to a derelict sawmill near Kapursing village, which poachers had converted into a makeshift slaughterhouse. Locals had already alerted authorities after noticing suspicious activity.
Upon raiding the site, officials discovered 11 men armed with poaching tools, stuffing stunned bats into sacks for transport. The captured bats, protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, were rendered unconscious using chemical sprays.
The arrested include Ram Sabar, Sekhar Sabar, Surya Sabar, Bapi Sabar, Abhaya Sabar, Ranjan Sabar, Ajay Sabar, Papu Sabar, Ashok Sabar, Babuli Nayak, and Deepak Sabar, from Bhubaneswar and nearby districts.
“We’ve been monitoring this gang for days. They exploit abandoned sites and forested areas for black-market wildlife trade,” said Nilamadhav Sahu, Divisional Forest Officer of Khuntuni. “The bats were bound for illegal sale. We are interrogating the suspects to uncover the supply chain and identify the kingpin behind this network. Cases under the Wildlife Protection Act and animal cruelty laws will follow.”
Officials noted the gang has been active for months, taking advantage of remote forests and unmonitored abandoned factories. Environmental activists welcomed the bust but warned of systemic gaps. “Without permanent staffing and stronger patrols, poaching will persist,” said a local wildlife advocate.
The seized bats will be disposed of following protocol, while investigations continue to dismantle the entire trafficking operation.
