Forest Department Rescues 297 Seagulls, Arrests Poacher in Major Anti-Bird Hunting Operation in Balasore

Balasore, July 3 (UDN): In a major crackdown on illegal bird hunting, the Odisha Forest Department rescued 297 live seagulls and recovered 113 dead birds during a late-night operation in the sea off Subarnadandi under Bhograi block in Balasore district. One alleged poacher was arrested, while three others managed to flee.

The arrested accused has been identified as Kali Charan Mandal (22) of Choumukh village under Baliapal police limits. Forest officials said a motorised boat and fishing nets allegedly used to trap the migratory birds were also seized during the operation.

According to the Forest Department, the accused had allegedly been hunting migratory seabirds by erecting poles and stretching large fishing nets in the sea near Subarnadandi. The birds were reportedly driven several kilometres through the water during the night before becoming trapped in the nets, resulting in large-scale injuries and deaths.

The operation was launched following a tip-off from local fishermen, who alerted authorities about the illegal hunting activities. Acting on the information, a special enforcement team led by Jaleswar Acting Range Officer Sanjay Kumar Mohanty conducted a night raid using a government boat from the Bichitrapur Eco-Tourism Centre.

After travelling nearly eight kilometres into the sea, the team rescued a total of 410 seagulls, of which 297 were found alive and 113 had died.

Veterinary officials conducted post-mortem examinations on the dead birds, while the rescued seagulls underwent health assessments before being released into their natural habitat.

Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) Indulkar Pratik Prakash said efforts are underway to trace the three absconding suspects and investigate whether the illegal hunting was part of a larger wildlife trafficking network.

The Forest Department has registered a case under the relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and intensified surveillance along the coastal belt to prevent further incidents of illegal hunting of migratory birds.

Officials also appealed to local communities and fishermen to continue sharing information on wildlife crimes, saying public cooperation remains crucial in protecting Odisha’s rich biodiversity and migratory bird populations.