In a remarkable act of wildlife conservation, Indian Army troops from the Gigrial Battalion rescued a critically endangered pangolin during a routine patrol along the Indo-Pak International Border in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu district.
Army officials confirmed that the rare animal, considered one of the most trafficked mammals in the world, was found vulnerable and far from its natural habitat. Recognising its ecological importance and the growing threat of wildlife trafficking, the soldiers acted swiftly to secure the animal.
The pangolin was later handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir forest and wildlife department for proper care and rehabilitation. This incident highlights the Indian Army’s commitment not only to safeguarding the nation’s borders but also to protecting its biodiversity.
“This rescue underscores the Indian Army’s dedication to environmental responsibility and the protection of India’s diverse fauna,” said a defence spokesperson.
Pangolins (Manis crassicaudata) are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and are categorised as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
This is not the first such rescue in the region. On January 10 earlier this year, another pangolin was rescued from forested areas along the Line of Control in Rajouri’s Sunderbani sector. Both incidents underscore the urgent need for conservation efforts in sensitive border areas.
