Banaigada: The Forest Department has arrested a man for his alleged involvement in the illegal trade of a live pangolin and rescued the animal in Sundaragada district, officials said on Tuesday.
The accused has been identified as 41-year-old Raibu Munda of Mahulata village under Lahunipada police station. A case has been registered against him under relevant provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, and an investigation is underway.
According to the Forest Department, intelligence inputs about illegal pangolin trafficking had been received by Banaigada Forest Range Officer Yashobant Sethi about a week ago. Acting on the information, two teams were formed under the supervision of Assistant Conservator of Forests Sumit Mohanty and Duryodhan Jerei to conduct a discreet investigation.
On Monday, the forest officials intercepted a car near Kenavheta on National Highway 143 while Munda was travelling in it. During questioning, he allegedly confessed to his involvement in the illegal trade and disclosed that a live pangolin had been concealed in an agricultural field at Mahulata village.
The forest team subsequently took the accused to the location and rescued the pangolin from the field.
The rescued animal was reported to be around three feet long. The press release, however, mentions its weight as 3,500 kg, which appears to be a typographical error and may require official verification.
Following the investigation, the Forest Department arrested Munda and produced him before a court, officials said.
Range Officer Yashobant Sethi, while briefing the media at the department office on Tuesday, said the investigation would be expanded as more persons are suspected to be involved in the illegal pangolin trade.
Banaigada Range Officer Debashish Nayak, Kuliposh Range Officer Shib Narayan Behera, Forest Guards Gyan Ranjan Mohanty and Amit Behera, Utkal Keshari Rout and members of the Rapid Response Team participated in the raid.
