The duo was identified as Ganeswar Pradhan of Jocub village and Charan Pardhan of Talsira. A firearm was recovered from them. Another poacher managed to escape.

"Hearing the gunshot, the anti-poaching staff rushed to the spot. The poachers had cut the animals into pieces," said divisional forest officer, Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary, SMT Rahman.

Before arresting the two, the staff recovered a knife, gunny bags, ropes and an axe from the site. "Efforts are on to nab the third poacher," said Rahman. He said they have a data base of 200 poachers, staying in 76 villages inside the sanctuary.

To rein in the poachers, the sanctuary authorities have opened 10 more anti-poaching camps. Earlier, there were 30 such camps. "The staff of the anti-poaching squad have been trained to track the movement of the poachers, who often carry firearms. They mostly target prey animals," said the DFO.

Official sources said before 2012, the density of prey population in Satkosia was 12 animals per sq km. The prey base has improved with the authorities claiming presence of 26 animals per sq km area.

The authorities are also planning to name the tigers in the sanctuary. "It is being done to avoid confusion about tiger population. The video footage of tigers captured in trap cameras would be used for the purpose. We will have names written on each photograph," said a wildlife officer.