Malkangiri: The Malkangiri Forest Department has achieved a major success against wildlife trafficking with the rescue of a pangolin.
Acting on specific information, a team led by Malkangiri Ranger Ramesh Chandra Raut was patrolling near Koilipari on the National Highway late at night and checking various vehicles. During checking, they intercepted three motorcycles going from Malkangiri towards Jeypore. On searching a sack kept on one of the motorcycles, a live pangolin was recovered and one person was arrested on the spot.
On the other hand, the persons on the other two motorcycles abandoned their bikes and fled into the forest taking advantage of darkness.
The Forest Department has also seized those two motorcycles.
Addressing a press conference, Malkangiri DFO Sai Kiran said pangolin is a protected animal under the Wildlife Act, like tiger, elephant and bear, and its trafficking is a punishable offence. Investigation is on to find out who else is involved in this racket and they will also be arrested soon.
The arrested person has been identified as Pendaya Kakar of Papulur village under Chitrakonda police station limits.
A case has been registered against him under Sections 9, 39, 42, 44, 48A, 49, 49(B), 52, 57 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and he will be forwarded to court, the DFO said.
