CHENNAI: Indian pangolins are listed as endangered as they are subject to poaching and hunting mainly for their meat and scales. To save this nocturnal mammal, a team of wildlife scientists is planning to conduct a survey of this species in nine districts in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. The scientists will collect basic information on the species like existing illicit trade and distribution location, besides details on how to create awareness among public about the importance of conservation of Indian pangolin.
"The illegal trade in Asian pangolins and the destruction of their habitat has made these remarkable scaled animals one of the most endangered mammal groups in the world. In Tamil Nadu, it is reported that this species is already in trade as well as its body parts are in ethnic use. The survey will help collect more basic details about this species in the Western Ghats," said R Marimuthu, director of the project, sponsored by the Zoo Outreach Organisation and funded by the Mohamed bin Yayad Species Conservation Fund.
The Indian pangolin is included in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The idea of conducting the survey is mainly to understand species distribution and map them, said Marimuthu. "We will also study the ongoing threats such as poaching for trade or consumption or ethnic use through a detailed survey which will begin in the end of July," he said.
"A thorough survey shows that no field studies have been conducted for this species so far in this location. This species is thought to be in significant decline, primarily due to poaching for food and medicinal purposes locally. It is now frequently found in illicit international trade in countries like India, Pakistan and Nepal," he said.
