Paralakhemundi: A rare red giant squirrel, which had been rescued from a roadside eatery in Odisha’s Gajapati district recently, was sent to Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar.
The giant squirrel is an endangered species under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which grants it protection from poaching, killing and trading.
Forest department officials said the adult squirrel was provided with proper medical aid and food soon after it was rescued from the dhaba in Luagudi area.
The animal was medically examined a couple of times at regular intervals and its health condition was found to be good.
Senior forest department officials contacted the authorities of Nandankanan zoo and it was decided to send the animal to be release there. The rare animal was taken in an airconditioned vehicle by forest department personnel to Nandankanan.
They carried food and ORS for the squirrel along with them. The team stopped at places including Balugaon and Khurda to feed the animal before they reached Nandankanan and handed over the rare squirrel to the zoo authorities.
It may be recalled that the giant squirrel was rescued from a roadside dhaba and its owner, Bharat Bisoi (50), was arrested during a raid by forest personnel around three days ago.
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