A good news for the people Assam especially for the environmentalists has come when the critically endangered species Pangolins were rescued. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and Chariduwar Forest Range of Sonitpur West Division have rescued two Pangolins alive Potasali near the Balipara – Bhalukpung Road.
Based on information about a possible wildlife smuggling attempt the team has initiated an investigation, based on what the team apprehended two persons with two live pangolins in their possession.
A case was registered. They were identified as Karlin Mangfi and Gyan Bahadur Chetry. The both alleged persons were the native of Sonitpur district.
The alleged men later revealed that the pangolins were brought in from the Sepa in Arunachal Pradesh allegedly for consumption. One of the pangolins weighed 9.5 kg, the other was 2.9 kg.
Pangolins are threatened by poaching for their meat and scales, which are used in traditional medicines. Due to the heavy deforestation of their natural habitats this species comes under the threat. In January 2020, there are 8 species of pangolin whose conservation status is listed in the threatened tier. Three among them are critically endangered, three are endangered and two are vulnerable on the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
