NEWS – Pangolin conservation project has succeeded at Pench Tiger Reserve and Satpura Tiger Reserve

PANGOLIN CONSERVATION PROJECT

• Started after 2019, when Three pangolins have been spotted in Satpura Tiger Reserve and eight in Pench Tiger Reserve
• Launched by Madhya Pradesh with help of Wildlife Conservation Trust, Mumbai
• Succeeded as the mammals have started breeding here
• Pangolins are being bred here and will be released in areas suitable for them
• At present, there is no exact estimate of pangolin population but there are a good number of pangolins in Satpura Tiger Reserve
• Pangolins are mostly seen areas situated between river and agriculture field. They are also spotted near trees producing sweet fruits like mahua

INDIAN PANGOLIN (MANIS CRASSICAUDATA)

• Species of pangolin native to the Indian subcontinent
• Unique mammals known for their protective keratin scales and are often referred to as “scaly anteaters.”
• Covered in large, overlapping scales made of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails. These scales provide a protective armor against predators
• When threatened, the pangolin can curl up into a tight ball, with its tough scales acting as a formidable defense mechanism
• Distributed across the Indian subcontinent, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and parts of Pakistan
• Inhabit a range of ecosystems, from grasslands and savannas to tropical and subtropical forests
• Primarily insectivorous, with ants and termites forming the main part of their diet
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
  • CITES: Appendix I
• Role in Ecosystem:
  • Play a crucial role in controlling insect populations, particularly ants and termites
  • Indicator of the overall health and biodiversity of its habitat