Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force of Crime Branch has rescued a pangolin from a poacher at Narla in Kalahandi district on Saturday. The man detained by the STF and Kalahandi forest officials has been identified as Aibanta Kumar of Tagarla in Kesinga. He was held by the joint team during a raid near Karni Khunti village between Bhawanipatna and Madanpur, the STF said.
:The endangered animal weighed 13.33 kg . Some other incriminating materials were also recovered from his possession. The accused person could not produce any authority in support of possession of possession of the Pangolin, for which he has been detained and handed over to M Rampur Forest Officials under Kalahandi Forest Division for further action,” an STF official said.
The pangolin also handed over to DFO Kalahandi for safe custody and an inquiry is undreway. The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), also called thick-tailed pangolin, scaly anteater and bajrakapta in Odia is a solitary, shy, slow-moving, nocturnal mammal.
“It is a schedule-I protected animal under Wild Life Protection act, 1972. Schedule I provides absolute protection – offences under these are prescribed for the highest penalties. During the last two years, the STF has rescued 14 pangolins and seized 30.40 kg pangolin scales,” the official added.
