Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Oct 2: The Forest Department rescued two Indian pangolins (*Manis crassicaudata*) in separate incidents and released them into their natural habitats in Goa.

The wildlife rescue squad of the Pernem range forest office carried out the latest rescue on September 29 after an Indian pangolin was found moving around a human habitation at Khajne in Pernem. The animal was later released into the Mhadei forest.

In a similar operation two days earlier, wildlife squads from the Mollem and Collem ranges rescued a pangolin from a car shed at Collem in Dharbandora on September 27. It was subsequently released into its natural habitat in Mollem.

Forest officials said the rescued pangolins could not be kept in captivity as the species does not readily feed in captivity.

“Neither animal had sustained injuries, and both were examined before being released. The age and sex of the rescued pangolins could not be determined,” an official said.

Indian pangolins are nocturnal mammals and are rarely encountered in human-dominated areas. Their presence in residential areas can expose them to accidental injuries and increase the risk of human-wildlife conflict.