Bhubaneswar: A team of STF arrested a wild life criminal and seized a live pangolin from his possession at Budhipalli Chhak under Ambabhona Police Station in Bargarh on Monday evening.
The STF team conducted raid with the help of forest officials of Bargarh Forest Division and Bargarh district police and apprehended Jagadish Minz (41), of Dunguri in the same district.
During search, one Live Pangolin along with other incriminating materials were recovered from his possession. The accused person could not produce any authority in support of possession of such live pangolin, for which he has been apprehended, STF said.
In this connection, the STF filed a case under sections 379/411 IPC r/w. Sec.51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The accused will be forwarded to the Court of SDJM, Bargarh, the officials added.
The Pangolin has already been handed over to Forest Range Officer of Bhatali for safe custody. Investigation is going on.
The Indian pangolin (Maniscrassicaudata), also called thick-tailed pangolin, scaly anteater 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.
