Forest dept seizes 'chocolate bombs' used to kill wild boar, 3 held in Odisha's in Nuapada dist

BHUBANESWAR: The forest department on Sunday seized six chocolate bombs and arrested three persons for killing a wild boar using the explosives in Sirli village under Khariar forest division in Nuapada district.

The use of chocolate bombs to kill wild animals was a practice known to be mostly prevalent in wildlife sanctuaries and reserves. However, its use in Nuapada district has surprised the forest department. The department will send the bombs for forensic examination, and they will be diffused by the police bomb disposal squad.

“The three arrested are professional poachers, and they were caught red-handed while selling the meat for Rs 400 per kg,” said Khariar ACF Md Saleha. He explained that the poachers make bombs using gunpowder, form them into balls, and dry them. Once hardened, they apply egg all over to lure boars. “When the boar chews the balls thinking it is some kind of food, the pressure in the mouth causes it to explode, resulting in instant death,” said Saleha. Porcupine quills and other hunting materials were also seized from their possession, he added.

Forest officials stated that the bombs are dangerous for humans as poachers randomly throw them in the forest. “If people accidentally step on chocolate bombs, their feet will certainly explode,” forest officials said. The poachers have been identified as Antaram Majhi, Tejaraj Majhi, and Indramani Majhi.

In February last year, a 15-year-old tusker accidentally swallowed such a chocolate bomb planted to hunt wild boar. The bomb exploded soon after being swallowed, damaging internal tissues. Explosive material has also been found blended with dough or kept in pumpkins or pineapples and thrown in the forest to hunt wild boar. It takes the shape of a ‘chocolate bomb’, which explodes when the boars eat it, killing them instantly. Poachers also mix the explosive material in stale rice, vegetables, and fruits.