Malkangiri: Forest officials in Odisha’s Malkangiri district rescued a live pangolin weighing around 15 kg and arrested a person on charges of wildlife smuggling, officials said Saturday.
The staff of Malkangiri Forest Range arrested the accused while he was allegedly carrying the pangolin on a motorcycle near Koilipari village along a state highway in Malkangiri block during a midnight patrol Friday.
The forest personnel spotted the man carrying the live animal on his motorcycle.
He allegedly tried to speed away after noticing the patrol team, but the officials chased and apprehended him, Malkangiri Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sai Kiran DN told reporters.
The arrested person has been identified as Pendaya Kakar (39), a resident of Dulagundi village under Papulur panchayat in Kalimela police station limits.
Preliminary investigation found that the accused had violated various provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and a case has been registered against him.
PTI