India: The Thane crime branch has arrested two people for allegedly possessing a pangolin, an endangered animal.

Based on a tip-off, the police arrested Virar resident Sagar Pawar (33) and Raigad resident Abdul Jalil Yunus Mahamrut (54) from Dahisar Mori area on the Mumbra-Panvel highway.

The Shil-Daighar police have registered an offence against the duo under sections of Wildlife Protection Act and the crime branch officials are investigating the case further.

The police said that pangolins are poached for their unique scales and meat which is used in medicines for asthma, rheumatism and . The scales, on the other hand, are used in Chinese medicine and this has driven the mammal to near-extinction. At many places, the scales are also used to make sex stimulants.

Pangolins are reportedly smuggled through India, Nepal, and Bhutan, finally ending up in China. 

(Source: The Lives Advice)