Langaleswar: A rare Asian palm civet was rescued from Langaleswar village under Baliapal block in Baleshwar district Saturday morning. The animal was spotted near a pond in front of Durga Prasanna Higher Secondary School here, triggering curiosity among local residents.
Frightened by the crowd, it jumped into the pond and later became entangled in a nearby wire net. The local forest officials were immediately informed. Rescuer Ratnakar Behera carefully freed the animal, which was identified as an Asian palm civet, a nocturnal mammal.
Forest officials said the animal would be released into Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary. The species is primarily nocturnal and is known for its sharp claws, which it uses for defence. The animal’s appearance in the village surprised residents, as it is not commonly sighted in the locality.