Rare Pangolin Spotted in Kamalapuram, Handed Over to Forest Officials

A rare pangolin, locally known as “alugu,” had been spotted in Kamalapuram municipal area, creating curiosity and excitement among residents. The unusual sighting occurred on Monday morning in Kummari Street, where locals got startled on finding the scaly mammal moving through the area. Covered entirely with hard, protective scales, the pangolin initially frightened residents who were unfamiliar with the species. “The animal curled up and raised its scales when we tried to go near it. We had never seen anything like this before,” said a local resident. The pangolin, known for feeding on ants and termites, reportedly took shelter inside a room after getting frightened by the crowd. Locals immediately alerted forest officials, who rushed to the spot and safely captured the animal. A forest official said, “Pangolins are shy and nocturnal animals. This one may have strayed into the town from nearby forest regions, possibly along the Kundu River basin.” Officials disclosed that the animal would be released into a forest area in the Mydukur range after necessary checks. “This is the first time in recent years that a pangolin has been sighted in this area. Such incidents highlight the need to protect wildlife habitats,” the official underlined. Residents gathered in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the rare creature, expressing both curiosity and concern. The pangolin is a unique mammal that has a long sticky tongue to feed primarily on insects. It nurses its young like other mammals. Wildlife experts stress that it is a protected species and plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance.