Rare Pangolin Rescued from Assam Home

Guwahati: A rare pangolin stumbled into a private home in the Sitlabari locality of Diphu on Monday night. The scaly anteater had spent two days wandering the district headquarters of Karbi Anglong before finding its way inside. It was safe. Local youths captured the animal using a bag and turned it over to the Forest Department on Tuesday morning.

Forest officials performed a quick health assessment on the creature. They released it into a protected forest area to keep it safe. Residents noted this marked the first time they had seen an endangered pangolin in the area. This was a rare event. Forest officials reminded the public to call them rather than handle wild animals personally. They said, "The species plays a vital ecological role by controlling ant and termite populations."

Pangolins face high risks from illegal trade involving their meat and scales. The species remains protected under strict Indian wildlife laws. Officials continue to monitor the area for any further sightings of the protected mammal.