An injured pangolin was rescued from a forest in India.

The critically-endangered animal was spotted by wildlife officers near Rajouri-Poonch Range in Jammu and Kashmir Region.

Footage shows the scaly animal rolled into a ball as it was guided by one of its rescuers.

It crawled to the side of the street and transferred to a facility where it would be rehabilitated.

Rajouri-Poonch Range Wildlife Warden Amit Sharma said: 'We appreciate the support of the Indian Army in this effort.

'This rescue operation reflects the commitment of the Wildlife Conservation Department to protect endangered species and preserve the rich biodiversity of the region.'

The Indian pangolin is protected in India under Wildlife Protection act of 1972. It is classified as critically endangered in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Officials said it is a rare and elusive species that has a high demand in smuggling market.

Pangolins are also found in neighbouring countries of Sri Lanka, China, and Nepal.