Boudh: The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha police rescued two live pangolins and arrested two wildlife smugglers in Boudh district on Wednesday evening.
Those arrested have been identified as Uchhab Kanhar and Prasant Kumar Behera of Jamukhol village under Baghiapada police station limits in Boudh district.
According to sources, they were nabbed near Boudh bypass road after the STF team along with forest officials raided the area on basis of a tip-off about the wildlife trade. Two live pangolin weighing 13kg and 10kg respectively along with other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession.
A case has been registered under Sections 379/411/120(B) of the IPC and Section Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and the accused will be forwarded to the SDJM court, Boudh, an official said, adding that the live pangolins have been handed over to the DFO Boudh.
The Indian pangolin is a schedule-I protected animal under the Wild Life Protection act, 1972.
