Bargarh: The Debrigarh Night Patrol Squad arrested two alleged poachers during a late-night raid in Labantikra village, located at the foothills of the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha, officials said on Monday.

The accused have been identified as Surendra Khadia (40) and Rashmi Khadia (30). Both were apprehended following a tip-off from an informer and were later produced in court.

During the raid, forest officials recovered a range of poaching materials from the accused’s house, including peacock meat, multiple snares, traps, axes, iron knives, and mud balls typically used for hunting. Authorities said a synthetic thread snare had been set up around a peacock nest to trap the bird.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had discovered the nest while collecting firewood and subsequently planned to poach the peacock for its meat and sell its feathers for profit.

Forest officials highlighted that peacocks, which are ground-nesting birds, lay around three to four eggs during the summer season, making them particularly vulnerable to such illegal activities.

The sanctuary authorities also reiterated that informers are rewarded for providing credible information on poaching activities, a strategy that has strengthened surveillance in the region.

Officials noted that several ground-nesting birds, including francolins, partridges, and quails, are commonly targeted by poachers in the Debrigarh landscape for both meat and feathers. To curb such incidents, eco-development committees in nearby villages have been sensitised, and a network of informers has been established across the area.

The forest department has intensified patrolling and surveillance to prevent further poaching attempts in and around the sanctuary.