Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Four Arrested After Elephant Tusk Seized In Dhenkanal
Forest officials in Dhenkanal arrested four people after finding an elephant tusk in their possession.
The four people allegedly said they found it while collecting mushrooms.
They said they then decided to take the tusk with them.
Officials seized the tusk.
They are investigating where it came from and how the group got it.
A wildlife protection law bans people from keeping or selling elephant tusks.
Officials warned that people involved in illegal wildlife activities could face strict legal action.
The arrests are part of a wider effort to stop wildlife trafficking and poaching in Odisha.
Forest officials arrested four people in Odisha’s Mahabirod range for allegedly possessing an elephant tusk.
The accused reportedly said they found the tusk while gathering mushrooms and decided to keep it.
Officials seized the tusk and are investigating its origin and how it was acquired.
Possessing, collecting, transporting, or trading elephant tusks is prohibited under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The arrests come amid an intensified crackdown on wildlife trafficking and poaching in Odisha’s protected zones.
- Who
- Four people—Sipun Patra, Laxmidhar Naik, Kuber Singh, and Sanatan Naik—were arrested by forest officials.
- What
- They were arrested for allegedly possessing an elephant tusk, which officials seized.
- When
- The arrests took place on Wednesday.
- Where
- The incident occurred in the Mahabirod range of Dhenkanal, Odisha.
- Why
- Officials are investigating the tusk’s origin; the accused reportedly said they found it while gathering mushrooms and took it.
- Arrests
- Four people were arrested.
- Seized item
- One elephant tusk was seized by forest officials.
- Location
- Mahabirod range, Dhenkanal, Odisha.
- Accused
- Sipun Patra, Laxmidhar Naik, Kuber Singh, and Sanatan Naik.
- Claim by accused
- They reportedly said they found the tusk while gathering mushrooms.
- Applicable law
- The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, bans possession, collection, transportation, and trade of elephant tusks.
- Investigation
- Officials are examining the tusk’s origin and how the accused acquired it.