Indian Pangolin

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Indian pangolin- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 3: Environment- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.

Recently, the Odisha Forest and Environment Department have completed its first-ever radio-tagging of the Indian pangolin.
Radio-tagging of the Indian pangolin was done in an attempt to standardize the rehabilitation protocol for the Indian pangolin in the State.

Radio-Tagging: A male Pangolin, which was rescued by the Paralakhemundi Forest Division last month, was radio-tagged and released in the Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary after treatment.
Tracking: The Odisha Forest department said the animal would be tracked using a Yagi antenna and receiver.

About: The pangolins (also called scaly anteaters) are elongated, armor-plated insectivore mammals, found across the world.
Species: There are eight Pangolin species spread across the world. Of these eight, Indian Pangolin and Chinese Pangolins are found in India.
- Chinese Pangolin: Listed as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List and under Appendix 1 of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
- Indian Pangolin: Listed as Endangered under the IUCN Red List, and Appendix 1 of the CITES.
Feeding Pattern: Pangolin feeds primarily on insects (insectivores) eating ants and termites, digging them out of mounds and logs.
- The pangolin depends on its tongue to feed itself as it lacks any teeth. Digestion in the Pangolins is aided by its strong stomach.
- Pangolin is active during the night and it rests in deep burrows during daytime
Threats to Survival: Pangolins face survival threats due to habitat loss and rampant poaching for their skin, scales, and meat.
- Pangolins are highly trafficked mammals due to their huge demand for medicinal purposes, pangolins are smuggled through roads and rails and sent to China.

About: Indian pangolin, also called thick-tailed pangolin is one of the eight pangolin species found across the world.
- Indian Pangolin Scientific Name: Manis crassicaudata.
- Characteristics: Indian Pangolins have overlapping scales that act as armor for its body.
Habitat: Indian pangolin is a pangolin native to the Indian subcontinent. Indian pangolins are mainly found in rainforests and in the hills of India and parts of Sri Lanka.
- Indian Pangolin is also found in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal.
- Indian pangolin inhabits grasslands and secondary forests.
- Indian pangolin can also survive in dry and desert regions.

CITES: Indian pangolin is listed under Appendix I of the CITES since January 2017.
IUCN Red List: Indian Pangolin is listed as ‘Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Indian Pangolin along with Chinese Pangolin are protected under Schedule I, Part I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.