Phek Forest Department Ranger, members of Lozaphuhu Village Council, Students’ Union and Youth Organization releasing the pangolin on February 22.
Phek, February 22 (MExN): A pangolin was released into the Lozaphuhu Wildlife Reserved Area by the Phek Forest Department Ranger in the presence of members from Lozaphuhu Village Council, Students’ Union and Youth Organization on February 22.
The pangolin is a critically endangered species under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and placed in Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
In a press release on Monday, the village acknowledged the Phek DFO, DC Phek and Rukusayi Khusoh for donating and facilitating the release of the wild animal, terming it as a huge encouragement towards the community’s conservation efforts.
It also reaffirmed that the community would brook no excuse but impose heavy penalty against anyone who kills any of the severely endangered species not only in the Reserved Area but in the whole of Lozaphuhu village territory, as per the village resolution. Some of the endangered species found in the area include the sambar deer (tukhro), bear (thuga), tiger (tukho), wild goat (thulu), pangolin (tupho), hornbill (thuro), peacock (ri-ri), eagle (zode) and python (shae), the release stated.
