Truck Driver Rescues Indian Pangolin, Hands Over to Forest Officials for Safe Release

In a rare display of awareness and timely action, an Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) was rescued by a truck driver from the Assam-Manipur border region and handed over to officials of the Assam Forest Department’s Jirighat Range under Lakhipur Forest Division on Wednesday evening (December 10). The endangered mammal was later transferred to the Barak Valley Wildlife Division’s rescue team for rehabilitation and safe release into its natural habitat.

According to forest officials, the pangolin was found by the truck driver somewhere along the Assam-Manipur border. Realising the animal’s vulnerable status, he immediately decided to surrender it to the authorities rather than risk it falling into illegal wildlife trade. Pangolins are globally regarded as the world’s most trafficked mammals, often smuggled for their scales and bones used in unauthorised medicinal practices. They account for nearly 20% of all illegal wildlife trade. The species has been under strict international protection since 1975, with all pangolin species included under Appendix I of CITES since 2016. The Indian Pangolin was assessed as Endangered in the 2019 IUCN Red List under criteria A3d+4d.

Dibyajyoti Baishya (Forester-I), Satyajit Borah, Rowel Rongfar (RFO Lakhipur) and Faruk Uddin Ahmed (AFPF) of the Jirighat Range coordinated with the Barak Valley Wildlife Division to ensure immediate rescue. Dibyajyoti Baishya said, “The pangolin was officially handed over to the rescue team after we took handover from the truck driver at Cheripool area following instructions”.

The Wildlife rescue team comprising Trikal Chakrabarty, Sabir Ahmed Rohit Malakar and Rameshwar Chasa, who acted on instructions from senior officials and completed all formal procedures before releasing the mammal into a safe habitat.

Speaking to Barak Bulletin, rescuer and wildlife expert Trikal Chakrabarty said, “We are extremely thankful for the awareness of the truck driver. He thought to save this animal and help him live, possibly saving him from being sold in the black market. This animal is known for its scales and its typical defence mechanism when threatened.”

Forest officials urged the public to be alert and supportive in conserving pangolins, describing them as a “highly important species from the prehistoric era” that faces increasing threats from poaching and trafficking.

The Lakhipur Forest Range Office and Jirighat team thanked both the rescue squad and the local public for cooperating in the swift and successful operation.