A poacher was caught with a live endangered pangolin by the forest department in central India's Madhya Pradesh on March 4.

The incident occurred in Sehra village near Bandhavgarh National park, located in the Umaria district.

Visuals show a rescued pangolin drinking water out of a plate placed on the ground.

A team of forest department officials caught one of the poachers while two of his accomplices fled the scene. The other suspects are still being pursued.

The officials disguised themselves as buyers of the live pangolin and caught the criminal after getting information about the illegal wildlife trafficking.

The accused poacher was presented in the court for further hearing of his case.

A poacher was caught with a live endangered pangolin by the forest department in central India's Madhya Pradesh on March 4. The incident occurred in Sehra village near Bandhavgarh National park, located in the Umaria district.

Visuals show a rescued pangolin drinking water out of a plate placed on the ground. The poor creature seems exhausted from the abuse endured by the captors and is seen quenching thirst in the presence of its saviors.

Forest department official Vikram Singh bravely caught one of the poachers while two of his accomplices fled the scene. He was accompanied by his team consisting of Manpur Range Officer, Pawan Tamarkar, Assistant Range Officer, Kamlesh Nanda, Forest Guards, Narendra Singh, Vikram Singh, Bhagwat Tiwari, Akhilesh Tiwari, Rajeev Ranjan Verma, and Roshanlal Tiwari.

The officials disguised themselves as buyers of the live pangolin and caught the criminal after getting information about the illegal wildlife trafficking. Moreover, the accused was apprehended and presented in the court for further hearing of his case. There have been continuous cases of hunting reported in the region despite the efforts of the authorities to ensure the safety of the fauna. Furthermore, the search for the rest of the involved is still in progress.