Odisha STF Rescues Pangolin, Arrests 2 Wildlife Criminals From Rayagada

Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police on Saturday arrested two wildlife smugglers and rescued a live pangolin from them Rayagada district.

The arrested persons have been identified as Samsan Raita (45) of Gajapati district and Asmin Sabar (28) of Rayagada.

Acting on a specific information about possession of rare animal by wildlife criminals, a team of STF conducted a raid on Berhampur-Rayagada national highway near Akhusingi Chowk
under Padampur police limits of Raygada.

During the search one live pangolin along with other incriminating materials were recovered from the two. The accused persons could not produce any authority in support of possession of such Live Pangolin, for which they have been apprehended.

In this connection, Sec.51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has been registered and the accused person will be forwarded to the Court soon. The Live Pangolin was handed over to the DFO, for safe custody. Investigation is underway.

The Indian pangolin (Maniscrassicaudata), also called thick-tailed pangolin is a solitary, shy, slowmoving, 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.