A rare and endangered Indian pangolin ( manis crasicodataHe was rescued by the forest department on Sunday after he got caught in a volleyball net used by locals to prevent entry of wildlife near his settlement in Gudalur forest division.
Pangolins, which are smuggled into the black market for use of their body parts in traditional medicine, are rarely seen in the Gudalur forest range. On Sunday, the local people noticed that the animal was trapped in the net and informed the department. Forest personnel reached the spot and managed to rescue him.
Assistant Conservator of Forests (Training) Sharmili Annadurai, posted as Ranger in-charge of Cherambadi forest range, said it was a source of encouragement that locals informed the department of the incident. “The animal’s scale was caught in the net, and it could not escape. The field staff managed to extract it,” she said.
After its release, the animal was examined by local veterinarians for any signs of injury, before it was taken to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and released. Ms. Annadurai said that the sighting of Indian pangolin in Cherambadi was an indicator of the continued presence of this species in the landscape. He said that members of the local communities would continue to be sensitized about the presence and protected status of the animal so that the Forest Department could work with the local communities to ensure their safety.