Pangolin found in car at Brits filling station
Three suspects are expected to appear in court on Monday after they were caught in possession of a pangolin.
North West police arrested the suspects at a filling station in Brits on Friday following a tip-off about the possible sale of a pangolin.
The animal, which is an endangered species, was found in the suspects’ vehicle.
Police say the trio could not explain why they had the animal in their possession.
The suspects have been charged with contravening the Biodiversity Act.
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Tiger, pangolin farming in Myanmar risks 'boosting demand'
The Southeast Asian nation is already a hub for the illegal trafficking of wildlife, a trade driven by demand from neighbouring China and worth an estimated $20 billion worldwide. In June, Myanmar's Forest Department quietly gave the green light to private zoos to apply for licences to breed 90 species, more than 20 of which are endangered or critically endangered.
