Itahari, March 1:

A team of the Nepali Army (NA) deployed for the security of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) in Sunsari district held four persons on the charge of smuggling birds and animals from the buffer zone of the KTWR yesterday.

The army team arrested Ajodhi Sada, Mantu Sada, Amar Sada and Ramdev Mukhiya, chief of Shreebox company of NA Mahesh Thapa said.

He added that three Siberian birds, 12 tortoises, fish nets and domestic weapons were also seized from them.

The arrestees were handed to the KTWAR administration for further action today, the army said.