DRI rescues live Pangolin at Kadiri in AP; 4 held
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad zonal unit of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) rescued a live Pangolin in Kadiri in Andhra Pradesh and four persons were arrested in connection with the case booked against provisions of Wildlife (Protection) Act-1972.
Acting on a specific Intelligence that a gang of traffickers involved in illegal wildlife trade seeking prospective buyers for the sale of a live Pangolin, a detailed plan was made by the officers of DRI to bust the syndicate’s efforts to illicitly trade a live Pangolin.
Posing as buyers, the officers reached Kadiri. After several rounds of negotiations, the traffickers have brought the live Pangolin in a jute gunny bag to a pre-designated location at a remote place in Kadiri-Pulivendula Road.
The officers on surveillance reached the location and rescued the live Indian Pangolin by apprehending traffickers. Pangolins are poached mainly for international markets in China and southeast Asia for their scales, which are used as ingredients in traditional medicines. Pangolin meat is also considered a delicacy and consumed for its alleged medicinal properties.
Indian Pangolin (Scientific Name: Manis crassicaudata) is listed in Schedule-I of Wild Life (Protection) Act-1972 and is thereby provided the highest degree of protection. Their international trade is prohibited under Appendix I of CITES.
Accordingly, the live Pangolin was seized and the four persons were detained under provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 as amended. After the seizure procedures, the Pangolin and the four accused persons were handed over to the officials of the Kadiri Forest Range for further investigation.