#ENVIRONMENT ■Pangolin found wandering on Noida roads rescued | UPSC Current Affairs Daily

#ENVIRONMENT
■Pangolin found wandering on Noida roads rescued

Of the eight extant species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and Chinese Pangolin (M.pentadactyla) occur in India.

The pangolin, also called scaly anteater, is an elongated, armour-plated insectivore mammal.

Indian Pangolin is a large anteater covered dorsally by 11-13 rows of scales.

The adult male is about one-third larger than the female.

The colour of its scales varies depending on colour of earth in its surroundings.

Pangolins is an insectivore, feeding on ants and termites, digging them out of mounds and logs using its long claws.

It can also curl itself into ball as self-defense against predators.

World Pangolin Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in February every year.

●Habitat:

It is adaptable to a wide range of habitats including primary and secondary tropical forests, limestone and bamboo forests, grasslands and agricultural fields.

The Indian Pangolin is found throughout the country south of the Himalayas, excluding the north-eastern region while the Chinese Pangolin ranges through Assam and the eastern Himalayas.

The Chinese pangolin is distinguished from other Asian pangolins by its almost helmeted appearance, smaller scales than the Indian pangolin.

●Threats:

Major threats to pangolins in India are hunting and poaching for local consumptive use (e.g. as a protein
source and traditional medicine) and international trade, for its meat and scales in East and South East Asian
countries, particularly China and Vietnam.

In China, pangolins scales have been used for medicinal purposes for several years but the practice was recently banned.

●Conservation:

IUCN Red List

Indian Pangolin: Endangered

Chinese Pangolin: Critically Endangered

Both these species are listed under Schedule 1, Part I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

All pangolin species are listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix I.

●TRAFFIC and WWF-India Initiatives:

TRAFFIC is mapping pangolin trade hubs, conduits, transportation, high poaching areas, and drivers in relation to poaching and illegal trafficking of pangolins.

In February 2015, TRAFFIC, in partnership with WWF-india and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) launched a social media campaign to create awareness and divert efforts towards curbing illegal trade in pangolins.

SOURCE - INDIAN EXPRESS