Goalpara, August 30, 2024 — In a significant conservation success, an endangered pangolin was rescued in Khutabari village, Goalpara district, thanks to the quick actions of local youths and the Assam Forest Department. The rescue operation took place on Thursday night after vigilant villagers spotted the rare creature and promptly informed the Pancharatna Zonal Forest Department Office.
Forest officials, along with enthusiastic local volunteers, swiftly arrived at the scene to safely secure the pangolin. The animal, weighing around three kilograms and measuring 1.5 meters in length, was later released into the Pancharatna Reserved Forest after being examined at the Pancharatna Zonal Forest Office.
The Khutabari villagers, particularly the youth, received praise from forest officials for their proactive approach and dedication to protecting endangered species. The successful rescue underscores the critical role that community awareness and involvement play in wildlife conservation.
This incident comes in the wake of intensified efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade in Assam. Earlier this month, on August 11, the Assam Forest Department arrested four poachers in Daranggiri, who were caught with pangolin scales—a prized commodity in illegal markets due to their alleged medicinal properties. Despite the high demand, there is no scientific basis for the claimed benefits of pangolin scales, making the ongoing trade a significant threat to the species’ survival.
With pangolin populations facing extreme pressure from poaching, and their scales commanding prices of up to 2.5 lakh rupees (around $3000) per kilogram, the Goalpara rescue highlights the importance of continued vigilance and community-led conservation initiatives to protect this vulnerable species.