Four persons held for allegedly trying to sell two Indian pangolins in Raigad district

Four persons were Sunday held in Maharashtra's Raigad district for allegedly trying to sell two Indian pangolins, worth Rs 80 lakh, police said. A trap was laid at Shrivardhan area on a specific tip-off about a gang that was involved in selling the endangered mammal, an official said. He identified those taken into custody as Faizal Kalokh (42), Nilesh Karnekar (32) Ashok Darge (55) and Kishore Mohite (43), all residents of Khedi village in Shrivardhan.

He said the two pangolins were handed over to the Forest Department for further action as per wildlife rules. Pangolin scales are used in traditional Asian medicine, particularly in China and Vietnam. The animal's scales are made of keratin, the same material that makes human fingernails and hair, and they have no proven medicinal value, and are also used as jewellery and decorations for rituals. Pangolin meat is also considered a delicacy in some countries. Two species of pangolins, 'Manis crassicaudata' and 'Manis pentadactyl', found in India have been accorded highest protection with both being listed on Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.