Forest Officials Seize Ingenious Handmade Gun from Poacher in Similipal Sanctuary
In a significant breakthrough against wildlife crime, forest officials in Similipal Tiger Reserve have apprehended an alleged poacher and confiscated a uniquely crafted handmade firearm loaded with unconventional ammunition—cycle balls typically used as bicycle bearings. The dramatic seizure occurred during a night patrol operation inside the protected wildlife sanctuary, highlighting the escalating challenges faced by conservation authorities.
Night Patrol Leads to Arrest and Seizure
The incident unfolded on April 14 when patrol staff from the Pithabata North wildlife range, operating under the Similipal South wildlife division, detected suspicious activity near Balidiha around 7 pm. Officials reported hearing a gunshot and observing an unusual light source within the forest, prompting immediate investigation. During the subsequent search, the team confronted and detained Bhagabat Marndi, a resident of Asanbani village under Kuliana police station in Mayurbhanj district.
From the accused, authorities recovered a handmade firearm along with 14 cycle balls, 12 lead balls, quantities of black and white gunpowder, a torch, and a plastic bag. Most notably, the cycle balls were intended to function as pellets when fired from the improvised weapon, representing a disturbing trend in wildlife poaching where easily available materials are repurposed for illegal hunting.
Innovative Yet Lethal Weaponry in Wildlife Crime
Forest department officials emphasized that the use of cycle balls as ammunition reflects the increasing ingenuity of poachers in assembling low-cost yet lethal weapons to evade law enforcement. "Cycle balls cause significant injury when fired at close range and are often used as substitutes for regular bullets by poachers," explained an official involved in the operation.
This technique has become increasingly prevalent in wildlife crime due to:
- The easy availability and affordability of cycle balls
- Their effectiveness as makeshift pellets when fired from country-made guns
- The difficulty in tracing such unconventional ammunition sources
- The ability to assemble weapons with minimal specialized equipment
Investigators noted that the patrol team also seized the carcass of an Indian hare weighing approximately 1.5 kilograms, providing evidence of the poacher's activities within the sanctuary.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
Forest officials have booked the accused under multiple sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended up to 2022. The suspect has been produced before a court, and investigation is currently underway to determine whether he was involved in similar hunting incidents previously.
Authorities are particularly concerned about:
- The sophistication of improvised weapons being used in wildlife crimes
- The potential for such techniques to spread among poaching networks
- The threat posed to protected species within Similipal and other reserves
- The challenges of detecting and intercepting such unconventional weaponry
This incident underscores the persistent threat of poaching in India's protected areas and the evolving tactics employed by wildlife criminals. Forest officials have intensified patrols and surveillance in response, recognizing that traditional enforcement methods must adapt to counter these innovative threats to biodiversity.
