Foresters in Alipurduar recovered a leopard skin on Wednesday and arrested two persons in connection with the seizure.
Sources said that on Wednesday afternoon, foresters posted in the Jaldapara wildlife division acted on a tip-off and intercepted an SUV on NH31. As they searched the vehicle, the leopard skin was found inside.
“We have seized the leopard skin and the vehicle. Two persons were arrested for trying to smuggle the skin. They will be produced in court on Thursday,” said Parveen Kaswan, the Jaldapara divisional forest officer.
Arrested Dipankar Mandal and Tapas Barman are from Cooch Behar.
“Our officers are trying to gather more information about them, whether they are mere carriers or associated with a racket involved in poaching of wild animals and smuggling of wild animal parts,” said a forester.