Odisha: STF rescues live pangolin from wildlife criminal

Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha police arrested a wildlife criminal and recovered a live pangolin from his possession on Friday.

STF sources report that a team of STF, with the assistance of Deogarh Forest Division Forest Officials, conducted raids near Ranja Chowk under the Pallahara Police station in Angul district.

During the raid, one Ajit Bagha of Tampar village under the Pallahara police station limit in Angul was apprehended, and during the 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 a live pangolin, for which he was booked under Section 379/411 IPC r/w. Sec.51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, STF sources said.

The accused person will be forwarded to the Court of SDJM, Pallahara.

The live pangolin was handed over to Forest Range Officer Palahara for safe custody.

The Indian pangolin (Maniscrassicaudata), also called thick-tailed pangolin, scaly anteater, and bajrakapta in Odia, is a solitary, shy, slow-moving, nocturnal mammal.

It is a Schedule-I protected animal under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972. Schedule I provides absolute protection; offenses under these are prescribed for the highest penalties. (UNI)