NAVI MUMBAI: Seven persons were arrested on Wednesday for alleged hunting and selling a rare Indian Pangolin (Maniscrassicaudata) or scaly anteater in Kudal, Sindhudurg on Wednesday.
According to forest department sources, Vijay SadanandSawant, 47, had killed the Pangolin. Later, Prakash Pawar and Kiran Pawar allegedly confessed to the cops about selling the Indian Pangolin. However, the accused got bail due to insufficient evidence.
Deputy conservator of Forest (Sindhudurg) S Ramesh Kumar said, "The poaching happened on July 8. Based on a tip, our team raided the spot at Vadose village in Kudal on Wednesday."
Meanwhile, the poachers had sold the pangolin.
The rare mammal Indian Pangolin (Maniscrassicaudata) is protected under schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
"The investigation is at a preliminary stage. The modus operandi of the network of the poachers is yet to be traced," added Kumar.
