BARIPADA: In a major boost to anti-poaching surveillance in Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), Worldwide Fund for Nature - India (WWF-India) has extended its assistance to the reserve by providing some essential equipment and gears. Diwakar Sharma, associate director, Species Conservation Programme, WWFIndia, handed over the essential equipment and gears to STR authorities on Saturday. H.S.Upadhyay, Field Director of STR-cum-Conservator of Forests, Baripada, said the equipment would help the field staff step up anti-poaching activities. The equipment and gears include two Bolero Camper vehicles that can plough through difficult terrain of Similipal, 250 sleeping bags, 100 water filters for camps, 250 LED torches and 250 pairs of hunter shoes. At a function held in this connection at the central nursery at Salabani, Upadhyay said Similipal is home to 55 species of mammals, 304 species of avi-fauna, 64 species of reptiles, 20 species of amphibians, 62 species of reptiles, 37 species of fishes, including rare