Nabarangapur: In a major anti-wildlife trafficking operation, the Forest department officials seized a pangolin and arrested two persons who were allegedly trying to sell the protected animal.
According to reports, Nabarangpur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Udayan Subuddhi directed a raid based on specific intelligence. Acting on DFO’s instruction, the forest team, led by Range Officer Gopinath Sahu, rushed to the area near Dashpur village forest under Nabarangapur block. The officials caught two men red-handed while they were negotiating the sale of the pangolin, which was kept inside a bag. However, the prospective buyers managed to escape from the spot.
The arrested persons have been identified as Biswanath Mali of Maliguda village under Jeypore Sadar police jurisdiction and Gangadhar Gadba of Dumuriguda village.
During interrogation, the duo confessed that they had planned to sell the pangolin for Rs 4 lakh. The forest team seized the pangolin along with two motorcycles used in the crime. Both accused were produced in court.
Subash Chandra Khuntia, Sub Divisional Forest Officer (SDFO), has been appointed as the Investigating Officer. Further investigation is underway.
The pangolin will be released into a suitable safe forest after a thorough health check-up, informed Range Officer.
Forest personnel including Forester Lakiram Majhi, Forest Guards Lalu Bisoi, Bhagaban Bhatra, Sudhir Pattnaik, Pooja Swain, Snigdha Rani Behera, Gagan Nial and others participated in the successful operation.
