Five arrested by WJC and WCCB Chennai for trying to sell Pangolin in Warangal

The creature was rescued in a joint operation carried out by Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) India team and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) southern region, Chennai

Warangal: A pangolin was rescued and five persons were arrested in Warangal for allegedly trying to sell it in an international market.

The creature was rescued in a joint operation carried out by Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) India team and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) southern region, Chennai.

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There was a likelihood of seizing another pangolin as investigation was going on, said an official statement on Sunday.

It was said that there were nine accused in two different groups. According to the WCCB, as soon as they caught hold of the first group with one pangolin, the other group of six persons disappeared. After extensive searches two more persons were arrested.

The accused Thati Rajkumar, Mohammed Nazeer and Mohammed Amzath Khan of Kataram mandal, Gattu Sammaiah of Mahamutharam mandal, Nariveddi Venkata Narayana of Bhupalpally mandal in Bhupalpally district were produced before the court Bhupalpally for judicial custody.

Three accused Thallapally Shankar, Peddi Lakmaiah and Urugonda Devanna alias Devaiah were absconding.

A wildlife offence case was registered under Section 9 read with Section 2 (16) (b), 39(a), 50, 57 and Section 51 (1) of Wild Life Protection Act 1972 at Kothapally section, Bhupalpally range in Bhupalpally district on Saturday.

The rescued pangolin would be rehabilitated, the statement added.