MARGAO: An act of kindness allowed the Forest Department and wildlife rescuers, save a rare and endangered species, an Indian Pangolin, which was found floating in the river near Rachol with injuries.
Pangolins also known as the anteaters, are one of the most trafficked mammals in the world due to the demand for their scales.
Franleo Flores, the Good Samaritan in this case, was fishing late night at Rachol when he and his friends spotted this creature in the water and were unable to recognise what type of animal it was but could see the mammal in pain. While Franleo managed to get the mammal, which had curled into the shape of a ball, out of the water and onto land, his friend Alister Pereira contacted noted wildlife rescuer Benhail Antao.
The South Goa Wildlife Rescue Division of the State Forest Department along with Antao rushed to the site. They were pleased to find out how the Pangolin was picked out of the water given that they have been trying to educate the public about the need to protect Pangolins and their habitat and the fact that Pangolins are harmless.
They explained as to why the Pangolin had curled up like a ball.
“The only thing these creatures can do in self defence is curl up in a tight ball and expose their hard scales that protect them. By doing so they protect their delicate underbelly and face,” said Antao.
Natural coconut oil and haldi was applied on the snout (long nose) of the Pangolin, which was injured and the mammal was later released into the wild at one of Goa’s wildlife sanctuaries. This was done as they were not sure from where the Pangolin had come from or for how long it was floating in the water.
RFOs Prakash Naik and Anant Velip were involved in this rescue mission. “My message is that the people in the neighbourhood, when they find these animals, they have to protect it and they have to learn to live with these animals as they are getting endangered and we want it for the future generations,” said Vishal Surve, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF).
Antao shared details of the mammal to create awareness about the animal as many people do not know what it was and had not seen one in their entire life.
“Pangolins are as unique as can be. They are the only mammals covered with scales! Their scales are made of Keratin, which is the same material that makes up fingernails, hair and horns. They are also the mammals with the largest number of vertebrae! That amazing tail is not only used for protection but also to grip on tree branches and to carry their young,” said Benhail.
He also pointed out that the tongue of the Pangolin is longer than their body and originates from a cavity in their chest.
“With the absence of teeth, their food is ground to paste in their stomach with the help of small stones that they eat. They just love termites, and are said to consume a whooping 70 million insects a year. Their amazing sense of smell compensates for the poor sense of hearing and poor eyesight. And yes, while feeding, they can shut their nostrils before an ant can crawl in,” he added.
