Odisha STF Arrests Wildlife Smuggler; Rescues Rare Pangolin

Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha’s Crime Branch arrested a wildlife smuggler and rescued a rare pangolin from his possession from Tangi area of Odisha’s Khurda district on Wednesday.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of STF conducted a raid with the help of Tangi Forest officials on  near Brahmandi Chhak along National Highway No.16 under Tangi police limits.

The STF sleuths had an information about wildlife products being traded in the area. During the raid, one person, identified as Jayakrushna Tarai of Ghumusharpadar in Ghhiakhala under Balugaon police limits was apprehended, the STF said in a release.

During search one living Pangolin and other incriminating materials were recovered from his possession.

The accused failed to produce any authority in support of possession of such live Pangolin, for which he has been arrested and will be forwarded to the court of JMFC, Tangi, it said.

In this connection, the STF has registered a case under Sections 379/411/120(B) of IPC and Section 51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

The pangolin was handed over to the DFO, Khordha for safe custody.

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