ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) on Sunday released a rescued pangolin into its natural habitat.

Two years ago, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) stated that Pakistan had lost more than 80 per cent of its pangolins due to their illegal killing for scales and meat. Pangolin was listed as endangered, according to WWF.

“Today, the pangolin population has declined further from 5pc to 10pc,” said Vaqar Zakaria, who is the acting chairman of IWMB.

Pangolins are vulnerable species due to the long-held belief that their presence in villages and settlements was a bad omen. WWF had said there had been a very sharp decline due to their illegal trade, especially in Southeast Asian countries where demand by the growing middle class for their scales and meat had increased significantly in the last 10 years.

While its meat is considered a delicacy, its scales are used for medicinal purposes. “It’s scales are powdered for use in Chinese medicines,” Mr Zakaria told Dawn.

Nonetheless, the pangolin was rescued from F-10 near a playground. “The person who found the animal actually tried to sell it thinking of making money until someone told him that he could be heavily fined and face possible jail time,” he added.

The fact that the pangolin was found in the middle of the settlement was a reflection that its habitat was being squeezed, he said adding: “Therefore it is important that city dwellers are aware of their wildlife, treat it with respect and call the authorities.”

According to the official, being run over by motorists on motorways and roads was another reason for decline in the animal’s numbers. “Pangolins are prehistoric relics and ancient creatures that need to be protected,” he said.

Nonetheless, the adult male pangolin was in good health and it was not injured. “The wild animal was released in its natural habitat home to other pangolins,” said Anila Raja, who was a volunteer with IWMB. With assistance of other IWMB staff, Ms Raja released the endangered animal, which eats insects and in a way cleanses the environment.

WWF had maintained that in Pakistan there were no penalties to control the menace of poaching and rewards were huge. Some poachers even got thousands of dollars in the illegal market. Pangolins walk strange; they look like dinosaurs and their role was important as they ate the termites and ants free of cost, WWF has highlighted.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2023