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.

By: ASRAF UDDIN AHMED