Indian pangolin

In News 

The Odisha Forest and Environment Department has completed its first-ever radio-tagging of the Indian pangolin in an attempt to standardise the rehabilitation protocol for the animal in the State.

About 

• Scientific Name: Manis crassicaudata
• the Indian pangolin is the largest among eight pangolin species. 
• Description: It has large, overlapping scales on its body that act as armour. 
  • It can also curl itself into a ball (volvation) as self-defence against predators such as the tiger. 
  • The nocturnal animal lives in burrows and feed on ants and termites.
• Habitat and  Distribution: The species is understood to occur in various types of tropical forests as well as open land, grasslands and degraded habitats, including close to villages. 
  • The species can adapt well to modified habitats, provided its ant and termite prey remains abundant
  • It is widely distributed in India, except in the arid region, high Himalayas and the North-East. 
    • It can be found at elevations up to 2500 m. The species also occurs in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka
• Threats: Poaching for its meat and scales, which are used and consumed by local people, but are also increasingly traded internationally. 
• Protection status : 
  • Schedule I under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • Appendix I of the International Convention of Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
  • Endangered in IUCN Red List.

Source: TH