Three people from Bellville, Cape Town have been arrested for the possession of body parts of the critically-endangered pangolin.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said they received information about a vehicle transporting endangered animals from Gauteng to Bellville, after which members of the Flying Squad intercepted the vehicle and found the body parts.
‘Upon searching the vehicle, the police discovered a large amount of pangolin body parts valued at an estimated R65,500. Three men – aged 42, 47 and 57 – were arrested and are expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court soon,’ said Rwexana.
Pangolins have large keratin scales that are assumed by many to have medicinal properties.
Also see: Free-access documentary: Eye of the Pangolin
Searching for the spirit of the Kalahari
Image: Facebook/Pangolin
