Sambar beaten to death by armed tribals

Baripada, Aug 24 (UNI) A sambar, rare species under Wildlife Protection Act, was beaten to death by nine armed tribals at Cijidi under Besoi range of Mayurbhanj district on Wednesday last.

A delayed report reaching here today said the wild animal bellowed in pain as the tribals from four villages with lathis chased and mercilessly beat the animal till it dropped dead near a water body, 75 kms from here.

Forest officials said the tribals belonged to Chijidi, Nuadihi, Sunaposi and Colonysahi villages.

Rairangpur Territory Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Bejoy Kumar Parida said the fleet-footed animal, a rare denizen of the Simlipal National Park, strayed away from the Park along with a stag and entered into the remote villages when the locals started chasing the pair.

While the stag had escaped and disappeared into the dense cover of the neighbouring forests, the ten-year-old female fell a prey into the hands of villagers, the DFO said.

The patrolling forest officials, who rushed to the spot, arrested one of them and seized 10 kgs of meat, three hunting axes and five lathhis and a few pieces of the animal's skin.

The DFO said all other tribals involved in the incident would be arrested soon on the strength of the clues received from their associate.

The protected animal was listed as Schedule III of the graded schedule of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

UNI