Shillong, June 26: In a major boost to wildlife conservation efforts in Meghalaya, a critically endangered Chinese Pangolin and an injured Asian Palm Civet have been successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild at Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary.
The release, carried out jointly by the Meghalaya State Zoo and the Nongpoh (Wildlife) Range under the Khasi Hills Wildlife Division, marks a significant step in the protection of two ecologically important species.
The Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), one of the world’s most trafficked mammals, was rescued near NH-6 close to Jiva Restaurant in Nongpoh, while the Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) was rescued from Jaintia Hills in a severely injured condition.
Both animals were shifted to the Meghalaya State Zoo, where they underwent veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and close monitoring before being declared fit for release by experts.
The operation was carried out in the presence of Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Executive Officer of the Meghalaya Zoo Project Implementation Society, S
P.K. Agrahari, Director of Meghalaya State Zoo Pavan Khade, and other forest officials.
Calling the release an important conservation milestone, Agrahari said wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release are essential components of biodiversity conservation.
“The Chinese Pangolin is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and enjoys the highest level of legal protection under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. However, it continues to face serious threats from illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss,” he said.
He appealed to the public to inform the Forest Department whenever wild animals are found in distress so that they can be rescued, treated and safely returned to their natural habitats.
Conservationists say the release is particularly significant because both species play crucial ecological roles.
Pangolins are often referred to as “ecosystem engineers” and natural pest controllers. Feeding primarily on ants and termites, a single pangolin can consume thousands of insects, helping prevent termite infestations that damage forests, crops and soil structures.
The issue of rampant poaching of Chinese Pangolins was recently raised in the Meghalaya Assembly by the Leader of Opposition, who warned that the decline of the species was contributing to severe ant infestations and agricultural damage in parts of Garo Hills.
The Asian Palm Civet, meanwhile, is considered a key seed disperser and forest regenerator. By consuming fruits and dispersing seeds over wide areas, the species plays an important role in maintaining plant diversity and aiding the regeneration of degraded forests.
The Chinese Pangolin remains one of the most threatened mammals on the planet. According to conservation estimates, pangolins account for nearly 20 per cent of the global illegal wildlife trade, with around one million pangolins poached worldwide over the past decade.
In Meghalaya alone, the Forest Department has detected seven cases of illegal smuggling of pangolins and pangolin scales in the last five years.
