Six arrested with 352 pangolin scales in Odisha's Malkangiri

Six people were arrested and 352 pangolin scales weighing around 2 kg were seized in Odisha's Malkangiri district, an official said on Sunday.

The seizure was made during an operation on the Padmarigi-Pandripani Road on Saturday, Malkangiri Divisional Forest Officer Sai Kiran DN said.

Three vehicles allegedly used for transporting the pangolin scales were also seized during the operation, he said.

The pangolin is a Schedule I protected species under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, and illegal poaching, possession and trade in its body parts attract stringent legal action.

The forest department has launched an investigation to determine the source of the seized scales and identify others who may be involved in the illegal wildlife trade, the DFO said.

The seizure comes days after five baby orangutans were rescued in Balasore district, an incident that had raised concerns over Odisha being used as a transit corridor by wildlife smugglers.