Police found another pangolin being smuggled in Odisha on April 24. It is the most trafficked mammal in the world. Pangolins are in great illegal demand across Asia, Africa, and America for their scales, meat, and leather. This was the thirteenth pangolin to be rescued from traffickers in the just the last 2 years.
When scared, pangolins roll up into balls and cover their heads with their front legs. If they continue to be perturbed, they can hit with sharp scales on their tails. They are also called scaly anteaters, and 8 species of pangolin are found across Asia and Africa. They range from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered, according to the World Worldlife Fund.
JN Pankaj, DIG of Police, Special Task Force (STF) said, "Yesterday, we rescued a live pangolin from near a village near the forest in Boudh district. One person has been arrested. For 2 years, we have been conducting a special drive against Wild Life offences. We have caught over 70 wild life criminals. We have rescued 13 live pangolins. 27 leopard hides, 18 elephant tusks, 7 deer skins have been seized so far. Around 30 kg of pangolin scales has also been seized. Leopard teeth and claws have also been seized in 2 years of this special drive."