Bargarh: The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police arrested one Mahadev Mutkia of Gandapalli village under Paikamal police station limits in the district and recovered a live pangolin from his possession on Sunday.
Acting on a tip-off, the STF along with local Forest department officials conducted a raid near Bijadihi Chhak under Padmapur police station limits in Bargarh district. According to officials, during the search, a live pangolin weighing 12 kg along with other incriminating materials was recovered from Mahadev’s possession.
The accused person could not produce any valid documentation in support of possessing a live pangolin. He was detained and later handed over to Padmapur Forest officials. The pangolin was handed over to DFO Bargarh for safe custody.
Incidentally, members of the STF recovered two live pangolins and arrested two wildlife smugglers in the Boudh district on March 22. The arrested were identified as Uchhab Kanhar and Prasant Kumar Behera of Jamukhol village under Baghiapada police station limit in Boudh district.
During a search, two numbers live pangolins weighing around 13kg each along with other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession.
The Indian pangolin (Maniscrassicaudata), also called thick-tailed pangolin is a Schedule-I protected animal under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972. Schedule I provides absolute protection to wildlife and offences under it are prescribed the highest penalties.
