Kendrapara, Oct. 17: Bhitarkanika National Park personnel have arrested the kingpin of an organised deer-poaching racket. They have also seized raw spotted deer meat from the accused.

“Sukadeb Bhakta, 40, was intercepted from the spot, while a key member of the racket managed to evade arrest. They had spread out nylon nets with loops to ensnare spotted deer and wild boars. The gang has actively indulged in poaching in the recent past. They were adept in the poaching of wild boar and deer species,” said Mahakalpada forest range officer Bijoy Kumar Parida.

The forest department has intensified vigil with the newly formed anti-poaching squads. A couple of days ago, the forest personnel had taken two persons into custody for smuggling endangered chameleons from the Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary. A rare and exotic chameleon was also recovered from the duo. They smuggled these exotic animals from Kharinasi ferry ghat, which falls in the Mahakalpada police station area.

“Cases of wildlife poaching have been seeing an alarming rise in the past few months. The forest department has resolved to ensure that poaching is checked,” said Parida. The wildlife personnel are of the view that the deer species are also preyed upon by estuarine crocodiles along the innumerable mangrove creeks.

“A string of populous human settlements dot the borders of Bhitarkanika and animals straying from the sanctuary easily fall prey to human beings,” the forest range officer said.