Berhampur: Forest officials on Sunday arrested three persons for their alleged role in killing and trading of animal body parts. Officials seized four leopard claws, teeth, two antelope skulls with horns attached and some other wildlife organs along with a country-made gun, two axes and three mobile phones from Digambar Kanhar (56), a resident of Rajikakhola, who is suspected to be a wildlife hunter.“The items were seized following searches in Kanhar’s residence,” said Ghanasyam Mahant, divisional forest officer (DFO), Baliguda.Two traders were also arrested — Amitabhachan Pradhan (36) and Tophan Pradhan (44) of Jabedi village — believed to be involved in wildlife organ trade.During interrogation, Kanhar confessed to the killing of two leopards in a dense forest in Shankarakhola area. On Sept 18, in a joint raid by forest and police personnel, two leopard skins were seized from a person at Baliguda bus stand area.During investigation, a forest team questioned Amitabachan and Tophan. “During questioning, the two revealed that they had obtained the items from Kanhar,” said Arun Kumar Sahu, assistant conservator of forests and investigating officer in the case.Acting on the information, the forest team searched the house of Kanhar on Saturday and found the wildlife organs and firearms, the ACF said.