Pangolins

Why in News?

Recently, the Sangtam community in Nagaland has resolved to protect pangolins, a heavily trafficked mammal, strengthening community-led conservation along the India-Myanmar border.

• Pangolins – Pangolins are mammals covered in scales, also known as scaly anteaters.
• Types – 4 Asian species - Chinese, Sunda, Indian, and Philippine pangolins.
• 4 African species - Temminck's Pangolin, giant pangolin, white-bellied, and black-bellied.
• Habitat – They live in tropical forests and grasslands.
• Distribution – They are found across tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia
• India – India is home to two species
  • The Indian Pangolin is found across the subcontinent.
  • The Chinese Pangolin in the Northeast Region.

The name “pangolin” originates from the Malay word pengguling, which translates to “rolling up”.

• Behaviour – Nocturnal in nature, burrowing and insectivorous; rolls into a protective ball when threatened.
  • These animals are insectivores; they have no teeth, so they use their sticky tongues to pick up food.
• Uniqueness – They are the only mammals wholly covered in keratin scales, and they use those scales to protect themselves from predators in the wild.
• Diet – They eat ants, termites, and larvae, essential players in controlling insect populations within their ecosystems.

World Pangolin Day is observed annually on the third Saturday of February.

• Threats – Trafficked for scales and meat, which are in high demand across Asia and Africa.
• Poaching, illegal wildlife trade, habitat fragmentation, and cross-border trafficking.
• Conservation Status –
• IUCN Status –
  • Indian Pangolin – Endangered
  • Chinese pangolin – Critically Endangered
• Both are,
  • CITES – Appendix I.
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 – Schedule I.

Reference

TH | Sangtam community on pangolin conservation