The Bhubaneswar sambar antler arrest followed a forest department operation in which officials apprehended Preetam Pattnaik for allegedly attempting to sell a pair of sambar antlers through an advertisement on a social media marketplace. The antlers were seized near Kendriya Vidyalaya-1 in the city during a decoy operation, according to city DFO Amaresh Pradhan.
Pradhan said the department was initiating legal action under relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended. The investigation remains underway, and officials are examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged possession and attempted sale.
According to forest officials, the antlers had reportedly been advertised for Rs 6 lakh. The department received information about the online advertisement through intelligence sources and began tracking the individual behind the post.
The forest department subsequently formed a team that contacted the person while posing as prospective buyers, Pradhan said. After a deal was negotiated, officials laid a trap and apprehended the accused while he was allegedly attempting to hand over the antlers. The department said the pair was recovered from his possession during the operation.
Investigators are now examining the origin and authenticity of the social media post. Officials will conduct a forensic examination to determine whether the account used to advertise the antlers belonged to Pattnaik, whether the account was genuine or fake, and from where the post was uploaded.
The department is also investigating how the accused allegedly came into possession of the antlers and whether the case has links to a wider wildlife-related trade network. These inquiries are intended to establish whether other individuals or transactions were involved beyond the alleged online advertisement.
The seized antlers will undergo scientific analysis, including carbon dating, officials said. The examination is expected to help determine their age and provide additional evidence for the case. The department has not yet disclosed the outcome of the analysis or further details about the source of the antlers.
The case highlights the role of digital marketplaces in wildlife-related enforcement within an urban setting, where investigators may need to combine online tracing, controlled purchases and scientific examination. For now, the forest department’s investigation is focused on verifying the account, establishing the provenance of the antlers and determining the possible violations under wildlife protection law.
