Pangolin being sold illegally recovered, two arrested

BELAGAVI: Two people were arrested for smuggling and pangolin and attempting to sell it, near the Londa railway station in Khanapur taluk. They have since been sent to judicial custody while the Forest Department officials are on the lookout for two more suspects.

The four suspects had kept the pangolin in a bag and had covered it with vegetables to avoid detection. Khanapur sub-division Deputy Range Forest Officer Sunita Nimbaragi said, “Based on specific information that a pangolin was being sold illegally, our staff found a man moving suspiciously and when his bag was checked, a live pangolin was found. We arrested him immediately and later nabbed another person who was among four who had escaped. The arrested are in judicial custody and we are on the lookout for the others involved”.

Deputy RFO Sunita Nimbaragi briefing media persons.

The DRFO said a big racket seems to be operating. “Pangolins are exported to China for medicinal use. A special team has been formed to nab the other accused and expose the racket. A case has been registered under the Wildlife Act”. She also hailed the efforts of the frontline staff in cracking the case.