Status, Distribution, Behavior and Conservation of Pangolins in Private and Community Forests of Balthali in Kavre, Nepal

Abstract

The pangolin is one of the strangest small mammals with some typical morphological characteristics which survive on highly specialized diets of ants and termites. Although the pangolin is protected by National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973, and also internationally enlisted in the list of Appendix – II of CITES and mentioned as a threatened species in IUCN Red Data Book, detailed biological information is lacking in Nepal. This study was conducted from the month of April 2008 to August 2009 in community and private forests of Balthali, Kavre with the main objectives of investigating status, distribution, behavior, and threats of the species. A literature survey and GIS analysis has explored the status and distribution of the species in local and global scales. Population density was estimated using three plots and total covering area was 19.5 hectare in different altitudes. The average density of burrows (average diameter 18cm and depth 90 -115 cm) was 8/hectare. They were significantly associated with plots (χ2 >29.42, df=2, P<0.05) and aspect (χ2 >90.84, df=3 P<0.05) but not with soil types (t=1.16, df=2 P>0.05). The highest number of burrows was recorded from 1500-1550m with Pinus, Alnus and Betula dominating habitats. Captive observation of a pangolin mother and her baby in the Central Zoo and lab for a week showed that they were active for 5-6 hours during a 24-hour period. The main activities were walking (45%), rolling and resting (14%), and feeding and weaning (12%) at nights and rolling and resting (58%) and walking (17%) during the day. The mother ate eggs besides insects and termites and exhibited unique maternal care. Poaching, grazing, deforestation, mining, fire and developmental activities were the major threats to pangolins. Recommendation from this study include: a further scientific research on ecology of pangolin, develop awareness programs among the local people and increase their involvement in controlling, poaching and conservation activities and reward those who help in such activities for the long term conservation of pangolin.