Chennai forest officials rescue rare pangolin

Krishnagiri (Tamil Nadu), July 5 (ANI): Forest officials in Chennai have rescued an Indian pangolin after the rare anteater strayed outside the forest area.

Residents of Natrampalayam village in Krishnagiri district of the state informed the forest officials after they saw a pangolin moving around near the forest area.

The officials released the pangolin later deep into the forest.

"The life is threatening because of poaching activities all over the area where they are distributed. In India, they are distributed to north eastern part of the country where it is very rare," said Ganesan, a forest officer in Krishnagiri district.

Pangolins, placed under schedule 1, are found in tropical regions of Africa and Asia.

Pangolins are poached for meat and the scales having medicinal values, are used for improving blood circulation. (ANI)