The rescued male pangolin. Picture: Supplied
A PANGOLIN was seized and transported to a local veterinarian by the Kuruman SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species unit, the John Taolo Gaetsewe highway patrol and the Kathu Crime Prevention unit on Sunday evening.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Mashay Gamieldien said that the team acted on information received regarding an endangered species animal that was allegedly being kept at an old caravan park in Dingleton in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District.
Gamieldien said that Warrant Officer Paul Schoeman, Sergeant Jan Burger and Sergeant Ben Eiman searched a house in Dingleton on Sunday evening, at about 9.05pm, after enquiring from the local community members about the owner of the house.
“The members were able to locate the person who had keys to the premises as it was locked. Upon searching the house, the police found that the doors of the rooms were locked and discovered the male pangolin in one of the locked rooms,” said Gamieldien.
“Upon further investigation it was discovered that the suspect fled from the scene when the police arrived.”
Gamieldien said a case of possession of an endangered species was registered.
“The pangolin was seized and transported to a local veterinarian in Kuruman. The value of the pangolin on the black market is estimated at R100,000.
“The police are expected to make an arrest soon and investigations are continuing.”