Odisha’s Forest and Environment Department has decided to do DNA profiling of the leopards in the state. The exercise will help ascertain and trace the origin in case of deaths of the leopards, after the skin and other organs from poachers and traders are seized. The system will strengthen the fight against wildlife crimes, especially poaching of leopards.

Key Points:

=> The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profiles of the big cats will be rolled out soon for the first time Odisha in collaboration with the Centre for Wildlife Well being (CWH) of the Odisha College of Agriculture and Know-how (OUAT), Bhubaneswar.

=> The forest areas the place leopards are noticed will probably be recognized as a part of the train. Samples of their faeces and pug marks will probably be recorded, which can then be despatched to the CWH of OUAT for DNA profiling.

=> The train will assist confirm and hint the origin in case of deaths of the leopards, after the pores and skin and different organs from poachers and merchants are seized.

=> The system will strengthen the struggle in opposition to wildlife crimes, particularly poaching of leopards, which has been on the rise in Odisha.

=> It was tough to make DNA profiles of leopards within the forest areas. The poaching wouldn’t cease except patrolling actions are intensified by wildlife personnel.

=> At least 10 leopard skins were seized from three districts in Odisha in July, 2021 by different enforcement agencies, together with Odisha forest division and Particular Process Drive wing of the state police. In final one 12 months, as many as 26 leopard skins have been seized from the state by enforcement wings. The STF has alone seized 15 leopard skins.

=> The leopard whose pores and skin was seized is a Schedule I animal below the Wildlife Safety Act, 1972.

=> Over 150 leopards have been poached throughout Odisha within the final decade. The inhabitants of leopards within the state was 760 as of 2018, in accordance with the Standing of Leopards in India, 2018.