Odisha STF arrests wildlife criminal; recover live Pangolin

Bhubaneswar: A team of Special Task Force (STF) along with the officials of Khariar Forest Division on Tuesday arrested a wildlife criminal in Nuapada district of Odisha and recovered a live Pangolin from his possession.

STF sources here said, acting on a tip off, a team of the STF along with officials of Khairar Forest Division conducted a raid at Bankapur Chhaka under Khariar Police Station of Nuapada District and apprehended one Ranjan Kumar Sahu of Kanatamal village under Kegaon Police station of Kalahandi district.

During search one live Pangolin, a four-wheeler along with other incriminating materials were recovered from his possession.

A case U/s 379/411/120(B) IPC r/w. Sec.51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has been registered and Sahu will be forwarded to the Court of SDJM, Khariar.

The live Pangolin has been handed over to DFO, Khariar for safe custody.

Investigation is underway.

Pangolin, is a slow-moving, nocturnal mammal. It is a schedule-I protected animal under Wild Life Protection act, 1972. (UNI)