The Division Forest Office in Nuwakot has successfully rescued a rare black pangolin found injured near a human settlement in Bidur Municipality-1. The endangered animal was discovered by locals near the wall of Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School on Saturday.
According to Roshan Pokharel, the Chief of the Divisional Forest Office, the injured black pangolin was treated and subsequently released into a suitable natural habitat. “The young adult pangolin had a minor injury near its eye, and after providing necessary medical care, we released it into a safe jungle environment,” stated Pokharel.
The incident has raised concerns about how such a rare and endangered species ended up near a human settlement. “We are investigating how the black pangolin, which is categorized as an endangered species, came so close to human habitation,” said Pokharel. “Since only one juvenile pangolin was found, we have increased monitoring in the surrounding area to check for the presence of others.”
In Nepal, there are mainly two species of pangolins: the black pangolin and the Chinese pangolin. The black pangolin, listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is extremely rare and has been placed on the Red List due to its declining population.
The rescue of this black pangolin highlights the ongoing efforts to protect endangered wildlife in Nepal, especially as human activities increasingly encroach on natural habitats. The Division Forest Office’s swift action ensures that this rare species can continue to survive in its natural environment.
