Pangolin released into natural habitat.

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) on Sunday released a rescued pangolin into its natural habitat.

Two years ago, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) stated that Pakistan had lost more than 80 per cent of its pangolins due to their illegal killing for scales and meat. Pangolin was listed as endangered, according to WWF.

'Today, the pangolin population has declined further from 5pc to 10pc,' said Vaqar Zakaria, who is the acting chairman of IWMB.

Pangolins are vulnerable species due to the long-held belief that their presence in villages and settlements was a bad omen. WWF had said there had been a very sharp decline due to their illegal trade, especially in Southeast Asian countries where demand by the growing middle class for their scales and meat had increased significantly in the last 10 years.

While its meat is considered a delicacy, its scales are used for medicinal purposes. 'It's scales are powdered for use in Chinese medicines,' Mr Zakaria told Dawn.

Nonetheless, the pangolin was rescued from F-10 near a playground. 'The person who found the animal actually tried to sell it thinking of making money until someone told him that he could be heavily fined and face possible jail time,' he added.

The fact that the pangolin was found in the middle of the settlement was a reflection that its habitat was being squeezed, he said...