The forest personnel have seized an adult dead pangolin from them.

The poachers were identified as Sukadeb Raita, Dhoba Raita and Jateswar Raita of Purunapani village in Gajapati district.

The animal was killed by the trio at Gaida jungle near Digapahandi for its protective keratin scales.

The three poachers were nabbed from Gunduriguda under Digaphandi forest range along with dead animal, said divisional forest officer (DFO) A K Behera.

"During interrogation they confessed of killing the animal to eat its meat," said the DFO.

Forest officials, however, did not accept their statement and said "They might have killed the animal to sell its scales, which is on demand in the international market."

In July last year the police had seized around 10-kg pangolin scales from four persons at Buguda in the district.

Pangolin scales are in high demand in foreign countries, particularly in China, Vietnam and Cambodia where it is believed to be a cure for medical conditions related to blood circulation, cancer and lactation problems.

International value of a kilogram of pangolin shell is around Rs 60,000, wildlife activists said.

Due to its high value, a racket was suspected to be involved in the smuggling of pangolins. The poachers were very active to kill this scaly endangered mammals in Ganjam district, said Sameer Pradhan, a wildlife activist.

Pangolins were sighted very frequently in different forest areas particularly near Berhampur town, Pradhan said.

International trade in pangolin is prohibited as it is included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in endangered species.

The ant-eating mammal is on the verge of extinction due to widespread poaching for its shells and listed in scheduled 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act.