Pangolin injured by locals in Moulvibazar rescued

Despite its endangered status and international efforts to conserve the species, an Indian Pangolin was tied and beaten up by locals in Habiganj's Chunarughat upazila today.

Locals have said they bound the scaly animal as they had not encountered it before and they feared it would attack, reports our Moulvibazar correspondent.

The good news is the animal was rescued and provided with primary treatment before it was released in the Satchari National Park, a rainforest in Habiganj.

The vice-president of Satchari forest's co-management committee Abul Kalam Azad was among one of the first to respond after forest department officials were notified.

Locals often capture and beat up the animals assuming they ventured into the locality to steal food. The reality is, however, far more complex.

According to wildlife biologists, pangolins and almost all other wildlife would benefit from wildlife corridors that connect one forest to another.

Existing forest habitats also continue to degrade forcing animals to often venture out into localities in search of food or other resources.

This particular pangolin, thought to be around four or five years old, was likely no different.

After it was rescued from Nalua tea garden in Gopaltila area, the forest department officials provided the animal with food and some treatment before releasing it around 12:00pm.