Odisha STF Rescues Rare Pangolin, Arrests 3 Wildlife Smugglers

Bhubaneswar: Sleuths of the Special Task Force (STF) arrested three alleged wildlife smugglers and rescued a rare pangolin from their possession in Odisha’s Khurda on Friday.

Acting on a tip-off about a transaction of pangolin and other wildlife products, a team of the STF conducted a joint raid along  with Khurda forest personnel at Jatni by-pass.

During the raid, three alleged smugglers, identified as Sadhucharan Mohanty of Badamba, Kasti Kadraka of Rayagada and Bijaya Kumar Parida of Badamba in Cuttack were apprehended, a release said.

During search, one Pangolin was rescued and other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession. The accused persons could not produce any authority in support of possession of possession of the pangolin, for which they have been arrested and will be forwarded to the court of SDJM, Khurda, it said.

In this connection 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 DFO, Khurda for safe custody. Investigation is on, the STF stated