World Pangolin Day: Know More About These Endangered Mammals Here

World Pangolin Day: Know More About These Endangered Mammals Here

The third Saturday of February is observed as World Pangolin Day and social media sites are flooded with posts on conservation of the endangered species. We thought it was necessary not only to know but also to inform more about the species whose population is decreasing by the day due to large scale poaching. Pangolins, who are also known as scaly ant eaters, are hunted for their meat and scales all over the world, which also makes them the most trafficked mammal. Destruction of their natural habitats is another reason for their decreasing population.

There are eight species of Pangolins and out of eight, four species-Phataginus Tetradactyla, P Tricuspis, Smutsia Gigantea and S Temminckii are listed as the vulnerable, whereas two other species, that is Manis Crassicaudata and M Culionensis are listed as endangered.

Similarly, two other species M Pentadactyla and M Javanica are listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

Pangolins are smuggled for their skin which are used to make bags, belts and even shoes. Often called as Bajra Keet or Bajra Kapta, the species though included under Schedule-1 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 has been witnessing a decrease in its population over the years.

In western Odisha, pangolin hunting and smuggling is a huge trade that is carried out through Chhattisgarh borders.

Pangolins have a special space at Nandankanan Zoological Park where the species was bred under captivity for the first time in India under Central Zoo Authority-sponsored breeding centre. At present, the park has 14 pangolins in its enclosures. “Pangolins are bred regularly at the centre. Last year, breeding of 17 pangolins was undertaken. This year also, we are planning to go for more breeding,” Deputy Director of Nadankanan Zoological Park Jayanta Das told MCL, on the sidelines of World Pangolin Day celebration at the zoo.

“The incidence of poaching of pangolins has increased and strong action needs to be taken for their protection,” Das added

Well, as these toothless mammalsface the threat of extinction, it is heartening to see that the Nandankanan Zoo has not only been undertaking research to protect and conserve Pangolins, it has also been carrying out their regular breeding. We hope on World Pangolin Day, Pangolin enthusiasts come together in raising awareness about these unique mammals.

Picture Courtesy: IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT PANGOLINS

There Are Eight Species Of Pangolin

A Pangolin’s Tongue Can Be Longer Than Its Body

Pangolins Are The Only Mammals In The World Covered In Scales

The Name Means ‘Something That Rolls Up’ (The ground pangolin got its common name from Malay (the national language of Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia) word ‘pengguling’, meaning ‘rolling up’, in reference to the animal’s defence mechanism of rolling into a tight, near-impenetrable ball when threatened)

Some Climb Trees, Others Dig Holes

Even Big Cats Don’t Know What To Do With Them

Nobody Knows How Long They Live

They Emit A Noxious Acid Like Skunks

Millions Have Been Traded And Killed In The Last Decade

Their Eyesight Is Dreadful

Their Closest Relative Might Not Be An Anteater

Feature and Banner Image Courtesy: National Geographic