In a remarkable display of environmental stewardship and compassion, soldiers from the Gigrial Battalion of the Indian Army, deployed along the International Border (IB) in the Akhnoor Sector of Jammu district, successfully rescued a pangolin—one of the world’s most endangered and heavily trafficked mammals—on Saturday.
The rare animal was spotted by alert troops during routine patrolling in a forward area. Vulnerable and far from its natural habitat, the pangolin faced potential danger from both natural and human threats, particularly illegal wildlife trafficking.
Recognising the creature’s ecological significance and the urgent need to protect it, the soldiers acted swiftly and responsibly. With great care, the animal was safely secured and later handed over to the concerned wildlife and forest authorities for appropriate rehabilitation.
This thoughtful act highlights the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment not only to safeguarding the nation’s borders but also to preserving India’s rich and diverse wildlife.
The rescue by the Gigrial Battalion exemplifies the Army’s ethos of service beyond the call of duty—extending their sense of protection to the country’s natural heritage, even while operating in high-alert, sensitive border zones.
It is worth mentioning that pangolins face severe threats from poaching—primarily for their meat and scales, which are highly valued in traditional medicine—as well as from widespread deforestation that continues to destroy their natural habitats. As of January 2020, all eight known species of pangolins are listed as threatened, making them the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world.