A rescued Chinese pangolin was handed over to the Veterinary Hospital of Manipur Zoological Garden in Iroisemba, Imphal West by the Unique Wildlife Protection Committee (UWLPC), Manipur on Saturday.
A release stated that the Chinese pangolin was rescued by one Waikhom Sunil from Loitang Khullen Awang Leikai at around 9 pm on Friday. He then handed over the rescued animal to UWLPC, Manipur, it added.
It stated that owing to the weakened condition of the pangolin, UWLPC handed it over to the Veterinary Hospital of Manipur Zoological Garden, where it will undergo necessary treatment for a few days. The pangolin will be released to its natural habitat after its treatment, it mentioned.
It continued that speaking on the occasion, UWLPC, Manipur advisor Kh Shamungou said that the Chinese pangolin (locally known as ‘Kakcheng Chabi’ or ‘Shamarak Ngamarak’) is one of the protected species in Schedule I of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
It mentioned that the animal is poached in large numbers in China and Vietnam. It also cautioned that smuggling and trafficking of this critically endangered species is punishable under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
