Rare Pangolin Rescued In Pune: Security Guard’s Quick Thinking Saves Endangered Species
Rare Pangolin Rescued In Pune: Security Guard's Quick Thinking Saves Endangered Species
In a surprising wildlife encounter, a security guard at the Khadakwasla dam wall security office on Sinhagad Road discovered a rare pangolin in a toilet during his break. The guard, who had never seen a pangolin before, acted swiftly to secure the area and contacted RESQ Charitable Trust (CT) for assistance.
A team member from RESQ CT arrived promptly and carefully rescued the pangolin, which was then transferred to Bavdhan’s wildlife treatment transit centre for medical examination and observation. After being declared healthy, the pangolin was released into a remote habitat away from human settlement.
This incident highlights the increasing frequency of wildlife venturing into human-populated areas, according to Tuhin Satarkar, Head of Rescue Operations at RESQ CT. “We’ve handled at least six similar pangolin rescues in recent months, indicating a concerning trend,” he said.
Pangolins, protected under Indian wildlife law, are known for their distinctive appearance and defensive behavior. The Maharashtra forest department is actively combating pangolin smuggling, a serious wildlife crime in the region.
Assistant Conservator of Forests Deepak Pawar emphasized the importance of public awareness and prompt action in such situations. “The presence of a pangolin in a populated area underscores the growing instances of wildlife-human interaction,” he said while talking to a media person.
