Distribution and habitat preference of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) in Godavari forest, Lalitpur, Nepal

Abstract

Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is a burrowing, nocturnal animal. It is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because of rapid decrease in population and distribution range. This study was conducted to find out distribution of Chinese pangolin and its determining habitat factors in the Godavari Forest, Lalitpur, Nepal. Field explorations were carried out in Kunda Community Forest and Naudhara Community Forest of Godavari Municipality, Lalitpur. Line transect method was used to assess distribution and habitat preference of Chinese pangolin. A total of 20 line transects each of 300 m length having 100 survey plots were established to record presence of Chinese pangolin and their burrows. The burrows were categorized into new burrows and old burrows. Habitat variables including elevation, slope, ground cover, canopy cover, soil colour, aspect, nearest distance to ant nest, distance to termite colonies, distance to human settlement, distance to road, distance to water source were recorded in each surveyed plot. Altogether 74 burrows were reported from 43 plots out of 100 surveyed plots. Chinese pangolin burrows showed a clumped distribution pattern in the Community Forest. The burrows were observed at the elevation range from 1578 to 1844m, where the most preferred elevation range was 1500–1600m. Mostly burrows found to prefer in south–west aspect having canopy cover 75–100%, in 20–30° slope. The red coloured soil was much preferred for digging burrows. Higher preference of the burrows was found within 10m distance to ant nest and termite colonies.