Malkangiri: Six people were arrested with 352 pangolin scales in Odisha’s Malkangiri district, an official said Sunday.
The operation was conducted on the Padmarigi-Pandripani Road Saturday, Malkangiri DFO Sai Kiran DN said.
The seized scales weighed around 2 kg, he said, adding that three vehicles transporting them were also seized.
The pangolin is a Schedule I protected species under the Wild Life (Protection) Act. Illegal poaching, possession and trade in its body parts attract stringent legal action.
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The DFO said an investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the pangolin scales and identify those involved in the illegal wildlife trade.
This seizure comes days after five baby orangutans were rescued in Baleshwar, raising concerns over the state being used as a transit corridor by wildlife smugglers.
