Illegal Trade, Distribution, and Conservation Status of Pangolin (A case Study from Chuchchekhola Community Forest, Makwanpur Nepal

Abstract

Pangolins are least studied burrowing mammals. There is great role of this species in nature to maintain ecological balance. Due to illegal trade and habitat destruction, Pangolins are in great risk of extinction although being protected by national as well as international laws. This research was carried out to find illegal trade, distribution and conservation status of Pangolin in Chuchchekhola CF, Makwanpur district, Nepal. This study was done with direct field observation followed by direct observation along the tracks and random search, group discussion, key informant survey and questionnaire survey. This study showed the presence of indirect signs of pangolins such as 290 burrows (including 110 new and 180 old) in Chuchchekhola CF, Makwanpur district. The distribution pattern of Pangolins was found to be of clumped type. The habitat utilized by pangolins was found to be forest and agricultural land. In the forest, the maximum numbers of burrows were located at the crown cover of 30-60%. People perception towards pangolins scales is that it protects from evils and bad spirit if children keep in their body. The conservation status of Pangolins in the study area was found to be very good, as the whole community people were concerned about the protection and conservation of pangolin. Several works were done for the proper management of habitats and other managing tools were adopted to minimize its threat to be extinct. Camera trapping methods was also used during the research work.