Odisha: STF rescues 12 kg pangolin in Bargarh, one held

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], April 3 : In a joint operation with Kalahandi Forest department, the Odisha Special Task Force (STF) rescued a live pangolin weighing 12 kg, and detained a wildlife poacher from Odisha's Bargarh district on Sunday, officials said.

The officials also recovered some incriminating materials from the possession of the accused.

"Acting on a tip-off, a raid was carried out by an STF team on Saturday along with forest officials of the Bargarh Forest Division near Bijadihi square under Padmapur police station in Bargarh district and arrested Mahadev Mutkia of Gandapalli," JN Pankaj IG STF Odisha said on Sunday.

The accused person has been handed over to Padmapur Forest Officials for further legal action and the live pangolin was handed over to District Forest Officer (DFO) Bargarh for safe custody, said Odisha IG STF.

Further investigation is underway.

The Indian pangolin, also called thick-tailed pangolin, scaly anteater, and 'bajrakatpa' in Odia is a solitary, shy, slow-moving nocturnal mamma. It is a schedule-I protected mal under the Wild Life Protection act, 1972. Schedule-1 provides absolute protection - offences under this are prescribed for the highest penalties.