Pangolins for a mess of pottage
The Kalpitiya police uncovered a racket involving the killing and export of scales of the endengered species -Pangolin- better known as Kabellewas (Manis crassicaudata).
The detection of 130 kg of Pangolin scales at Kalpitiya has raised concern among wildlife experts who estimate around 150 Pangolins may have been killed to gather the scales.
These scales packed in 4 sacks were found at a house close to the Kalpitiya Lagoon. Five persons and the contraband were taken into custody.
The three sack-loads of scales bearing the legend ‘Kalpitiya -Chooti’ were transported via lorry from Colombo. According to OIC Kalpitiya, ‘Chooti’ was handing over the goods for export to India when the police moved in.
A kg of scales of this rare mammal fetches around Rs 400,000/-. The estimated value of the 150 kg is Rs 52 million.Wild Officer Kalpitiya Zone M. M. K. Morathenna, said ‘Pangolins are protected under the Wild Life Protection Act. Possession of any part of its body is offence’ and added only 750 gr of scales could be obtained from a full grown mammal.
Wildlife experts pointed out since Pangolins are not found in Kalpitiya, the scales were obviously transported from other parts of the country.
They said a high demand for Pangolin scales existed in China for use in traditional medicine and cosmetics .
The raid was directed by OIC Kalpitiya L.R. Arachchi together with IP N.A.A. Nikapitiya and SI E.A.W.S. Edirisinghe