It was taken to Forest Rangers Office for protection
A three-month-old Indian female Pangolin (Manis
crassicaudata) was rescued by the forest officials behind the Government
Arts College for Men on the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway on
Saturday morning.
Local people noticed the ant eater and informed the Forest Rangers Office in Krishnagiri.
A. Babu, Ranger, Krishnagiri Forest Range told
The Hindu
that the pangolin was brought to the Rangers Office.
Mr. Babu said that Manis crassicaudata is the biological name of the species.
It is categorized as Schedule I animal and belonged to an endangered species.
The number of these animals has been coming down fast owing to illegal hunting for medicinal value.
Hunting
of the animal will attract a minimum punishment of three years
imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10,000 as per the Wildlife Protection
Act. The Forest Department was taking efforts to protect the animals and
prevent them from being decimated.
Over the last two
years, three pangolins had been rescued in a village near Bargur and in
Pazhayapet area in Krishnagiri town, Mr. Babu said.
