Pune: Video | Alert security guard discovers rare and endangered Pangolin in wash room, experts successfully rescue the animal
Image credit: RESQ
Pune, November 09, 2024: A security guard at the Khadakvasla dam protection wall office on Sinhagad Road in Pune found a pangolin in the toilet. The incident happened when the guard was on his regular washroom break and suddenly came across the rare creature.
The security guard had never seen such a creature before, but acted swiftly. He secured the toilet and contacted RESQ Charitable Trust for help.
A team member from RESQ Charitable Trust reached the spot within minutes and carefully rescued the pangolin. The animal was rushed to the Wildlife Treatment Centre in Bavdhan, where it underwent medical tests and overnight monitoring. After being declared healthy, the pangolin was safely released at a remote location, away from human settlements.
Tuhin Sarthkar, head of rescue operations at RESQ Charitable Trust, said that this was not an isolated incident but a sign of the increasing presence of wildlife near human settlements. “We’ve handled, at least, six similar pangolin rescues in recent months. These typically elusive and nocturnal creatures rarely approach human settlements, making these encounters particularly concerning,” he said.
Check the video of the encounter with Pangolin here:
Sharkar stressed the important role of community awareness in wildlife conservation. “We appeal to the public to immediately report the presence of unusual wildlife. Timely action leads to their safe rescue and proper care,” he said.
Pangolins are protected under the Indian Wildlife Act. The creature is famous for its unique appearance and protective tendency to curl up into a ball when threatened. The Maharashtra Forest Department is also actively working to combat pangolin trafficking, one of the most serious wildlife crimes in the region.
Assistant Forest Conservator Deepak Pawar said, “Presence of a pangolin in a populated area serves as a reminder of the growing instances of wildlife-human interaction. The situation underscores the importance of public awareness and prompt action.”
