Nepal: Two persons have been arrested in possession of five live red panda on Tuesday.

A police team deployed from the Metropolitan Police Circle, Durbarmarg, nabbed Sukra Rai and Ajit Basnet of Solukhumbu while they were searching for prospective clients to sell the endangered animal.

DSP Dan Bahadur Malla said that the police apprehended the duo while they were heading towards Durbarmarg from Boudha on a motorbike.

“The duo were arrested acting on a tip-off,” Malla said. During the interrogation, Basnet said that he was just a carrier.

Police said that red panda hides and body parts are usually smuggled to China.

Police said that they are looking into the case.

(Source: The Kathmandu Post)