Forest dept seizes explosives, arrest 3 for killing wild boar in Nuapada dist

Bhubaneswar: The forest department on Sunday seized six chocolate bombs and arrested three persons for killing a wild boar using the explosives in Sirli village under Khariar forest division in Nuapada district.
The use of explosives to kill wild animals was a practice known to be prevalent in wildlife sanctuaries and reserves. But its use in Nuapada district has surprised the forest department. The department will send the bombs for forensic examination, and they will be diffused by the police bomb disposal squad.
"The three arrested are professional poachers, and they were caught while selling the meat for Rs 400 per kg," said Khariar ACF Md Saleha. He explained that the poachers make bombs using gunpowder, shape them into balls and dry them. Once hardened, they apply egg all over to lure boars.
"When the boar chews the balls thinking it is some kind of food, the pressure in the mouth causes the bomb to explode, resulting in instant death," said Saleha. Porcupine quills and other hunting materials were also seized from their possession, he added. The poachers have been identified as Antaram Majhi, Tejaraj Majhi and Indramani Majhi.
Forest officials said the bombs are dangerous for humans as well. "The chocolate bombs can explode if people accidentally step on them," a forest official said.
In Feb last year, a 15-year-old tusker accidentally swallowed a chocolate bomb meant to hunt wild boar. The bomb exploded soon after being swallowed, damaging internal tissues. Explosive material has also been found blended with dough or kept in pumpkins or pineapples and thrown in the forest to hunt wild boar. Poachers also mix the explosive material in stale rice, vegetables and fruits.
Bhubaneswar: The forest department on Sunday seized six chocolate bombs and arrested three persons for killing a wild boar using the explosives in Sirli village under Khariar forest division in Nuapada district.
The use of explosives to kill wild animals was a practice known to be prevalent in wildlife sanctuaries and reserves. But its use in Nuapada district has surprised the forest department. The department will send the bombs for forensic examination, and they will be diffused by the police bomb disposal squad.
"The three arrested are professional poachers, and they were caught while selling the meat for Rs 400 per kg," said Khariar ACF Md Saleha. He explained that the poachers make bombs using gunpowder, shape them into balls and dry them. Once hardened, they apply egg all over to lure boars.
"When the boar chews the balls thinking it is some kind of food, the pressure in the mouth causes the bomb to explode, resulting in instant death," said Saleha. Porcupine quills and other hunting materials were also seized from their possession, he added. The poachers have been identified as Antaram Majhi, Tejaraj Majhi and Indramani Majhi.
Forest officials said the bombs are dangerous for humans as well. "The chocolate bombs can explode if people accidentally step on them," a forest official said.
In Feb last year, a 15-year-old tusker accidentally swallowed a chocolate bomb meant to hunt wild boar. The bomb exploded soon after being swallowed, damaging internal tissues. Explosive material has also been found blended with dough or kept in pumpkins or pineapples and thrown in the forest to hunt wild boar. Poachers also mix the explosive material in stale rice, vegetables and fruits.