A baby pangolin was recently rescued in Mutingkhong village, Kiphire district.
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DIMAPUR — In a display of how awareness, timely communication, and collaboration between local communities and grassroots organisations can significantly protect endangered wildlife, a baby pangolin was recently rescued in Mutingkhong village, Kiphire district.
The community-led rescue operation was carried out by the International Border Area Peoples’ Welfare Organisation (IBAPWO) team at Mutingkhong, a border village located close to the Indo–Myanmar international boundary, said an update from IBAPWO without specifying the timeline for the operation.
Khumong, a resident of Mutingkhong village, demonstrated responsible and conservation-friendly behaviour by informing N Apong, Chief Functionary of IBAPWO, about the presence of a baby pangolin in the area, following which Team IBAPWO acted promptly to ensure the safety of the animal, said the update.
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Considering the ecological sensitivity of pangolins and the importance of maternal care, the team rescued the baby pangolin and released it back into its natural burrow at the same location, where the mother pangolin was present.
“The rescue and release were carried out with utmost care to minimise stress to the animal and to maximise its chances of survival in the wild,” said the update, adding that “pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals globally and are protected under Indian wildlife laws”.
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“Incidents like this reflect a growing sense of responsibility and conservation awareness among border communities in Nagaland, especially in remote areas where human–wildlife interactions are frequent,” said the IBAPWO, which promotes wildlife conservation in the Indo–Myanmar border regions of Kiphire district.
“This successful rescue at Mutingkhong village reinforces the belief that conservation efforts are most effective when local communities are at the forefront,” it added.