Bhubaneswar, July 2 -- The Odisha Forest Department on Wednesday dismantled an illegal mid-sea bird hunting operation near Kirtania in Balasore district. The department rescued hundreds of live birds and arrested a poacher.

The action was executed by the Udaypur Forest Division which led to the recovery of 297 live birds and 113 dead birds from the possession of the accused.

Acting on intelligence input, the Forest Department formed a special team on Tuesday night to track the poachers, who were reportedly operating in the marine territory. The enforcement team laid an ambush in the open sea near Kirtania and intercepted the suspects.

The forest officials managed to apprehend one key poacher at the scene, an engine-powered boat was als...