Authorities catch criminals red-handed with shocking contraband — here's what they found

Indian wildlife officials have apprehended three men in connection with a high-profile poaching transaction, according to Odishatv.in. 

What's happening?

Acting on prior intelligence, Forest Department officials in eastern India caught two sellers and a buyer of an illegal leopard skin in the midst of the sale. The sting occurred in the community of Nabarangpur, Odisha. The hide's reported market value was 500,000 Indian rupees, or over $5,400. 

Why is animal poaching important?

Wild habitats have been degraded by human land development and climate shifts, making survival especially challenging for keystone species. These forces have pushed animals into closer proximity with people, creating dangerous interactions. Leopards, for instance, have been seen roaming Indian streets and even attacking people. 

Leopards are apex predators that keep a wide range of prey populations in check. Without them, other species populations can potentially explode, disrupting entire ecosystems. Likewise, without enough food to hunt in natural habitats, they're likely to stalk human settlements for any opportunities they can find. 

This need to explore beyond natural sources for food routinely results in animals eating plastic waste, clogging digestive tracts in the process, and leading to fatal consequences. 

As leopard numbers dwindle due to these factors, aggressive poaching can have an even larger impact on the species' outlook. 

What's being done about poaching?

Indian officials are now investigating the origin of the intercepted leopard skin and the extent of the smuggling network it came through. 

This incident is far from an anomaly. Other enforcement actions in India have caught traffickers of live snakes, sea turtles, and Bengal tiger bones. 

You can take local action by advocating for strong legal protections of wildlife and natural habitat. With the proper resources, animals can have everything they need to thrive outside the reach of human activity. 

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