Pangolin seized in Odisha’s Jeypore, 2 arrested
Koraput: Pangolin seized in Odisha’s Jeypore in Koraput district said reliable reports, as many as two poachers held on Friday. On the basis of reliable information, a team of STF conducted raid with the help of Forest Officials of Jeypore Forest Division and Koraput district police near Khadupadar Chhaka on Jeypore-Baipariguda Bypass under Baipariguda PS jurisdiction, Koraput.
The raid was conducted regarding dealing/possession of wildlife products by wildlife criminals, as a result of two wildlife criminals namely:
Durya Matpadia S/O Somaru Matpadia of village: Badapada, PO: Ramgiri, PS: Baipariguda, Koraput and
Kartik Harizan S/O Lalit Harizan, Vill: Majhiguda, PO: Ramgiri, PS: Boipariguda, Koraput were apprehended.
During search one Live Pangolin along with other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession. The accused persons could not produce any authority in support of possession of such Live Pangolin. Due to this they were arrested, said reliable reports.
In this connection STF PS Case No.19 dated 07.09.2023 U/s 379/411/120(B) IPC r/w. Sec.51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has been registered and the accused person will be forwarded to the Court of SDJM, Jeypore.
The Live Pangolin was handed over to DFO, Jeypore for safe custody. Further Investigation is going on.
The Indian pangolin (Maniscrassicaudata), also called thick-tailed pangolin, scaly anteater and bajrakapta ‘ବଜ୍ରକାପ୍ତା’ in Odia is a solitary, shy, slow-moving, nocturnal mammal. It is a schedule-I protected animal under Wild Life Protection act, 1972.
Schedule I provides absolute protection – offences under these are prescribed for the highest penalties. A special drive has been conducted against the wildlife criminals/poachers and is continuing.
