Poachers’ electric snares put lives at risk

Live wires laid by poachers along the forest trails in Ranpur range under Khurda forest division as well as Nayagarh forest division and Mahanadi wildlife division to hunt wild animals have become a growing cause of concern for local residents and animal lovers.

- POST NEWS NETWORK

Reports indicate that over the past eight years, three people, one elephant, and more than 1,500 wild boars have died in these areas after coming in contact with illegal live wires.

Although the live wires are primarily intended for hunting wild boars that destroy farmlands, they are also leading to unintended deaths of other wildlife, including elephants. Despite the recurring nature of this issue across several forested areas of Nayagarh district, little action has been taken to curb the practice.

The death of three individuals after accidentally stepping on these electric snares in Bahadajhola forest under Odagaon forest range, Datta Pokhari, and Khajuria forests are some cases in point. Similarly, a tusker was electrocuted in Dhipisahi jungle area of Chamundia wildlife range.