ZAWA nabs man for possessing live pangolin

THE Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has arrested a 29-year-old man of Chief Mbangombe’s area in Katete district for alleged possession of a live pangolin.

Pangolins, also referred to as scaly ant-eaters or trenggiling, are found naturally in tropical regions throughout Africa and Asia.
ZAWA spokesperson Sakabilo Kalembwe said the man identified as Gift Banda was arrested by ZAWA officers yesterday around 05:00 hours.

Mr Kalembwe said yesterday that Mr Banda claimed to have acquired the pangolin from Mozambique.
“According to him, he came with the animal from Mozambique in the company of his two friends who were seated in a vehicle while he was trying to secure market for it,” he said.
The market price for a live Pangolin is estimated at K25,000 but that it can fetch even more.
The pangolin is a protected species and that ZAWA officers have confiscated it.
He said ZAWA will later release the Pangolin back into the South Luangwa National Park.

zambiadailymail