RAWALPINDI: Three individuals have been arrested for illegally selling an Indian pangolin, a rare and protected species, in a successful operation carried out by the Wildlife Rangers.

According to officials, the team recovered the endangered Indian pangolin during the raid and registered a case against the accused. All three suspects confessed to selling the animal for Rs 60,000. They were fined Rs 90,000 after legal proceedings.

The pangolin was safely released back into its natural habitat following its recovery.

Wildlife authorities said the operation was initiated after a video showing the illegal sale of the pangolin surfaced on social media. Officials emphasized that the illegal trade and possession of rare and endangered wildlife species is strictly prohibited under the law.