Indian Pangolin

Why in news?

• TRAFFIC and WWF-India has brought out a publication titled ‘India’s Pangolins Buried in Illegal Wildlife Trade’.

About Indian Pangolin:

• Indian Pangolin is a large anteater covered dorsally by 11-13 rows of scales.
• Of the eight extant species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin and Chinese Pangolin occur in India.
• A terminal scale is also present on the ventral side of the tail of the Indian Pangolin, which is absent in the Chinese Pangolin.
• Its sticky tongue, which is longer than its body, is specially adapted for reaching and lapping up insects in deep crevices.
• To tear open the anthills or termite mounds, it uses the powerful forelimbs that are armed with three disproportionately long claws.

Conservation issues:

• It is listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and as Endangered on IUCN Red List.
• 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.
• Pangolins are among the most trafficked wildlife species in the world. The projected population declines range from 50% to 80% across the genus.
• There is now greater evidence of its inclusion in illicit international trade, in particular its scales, from both India and Pakistan, with Myanmar and China comprising the most likely, final destinations.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Regarding Pangolin, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Of the eight extant species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin and Chinese Pangolin occur in India.

2. The Indian Pangolin is classified as Endangered on IUCN Red List

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer