Pure Appl. Biol., 9(4): 2207-2213, December, 2020 http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90236

Review Article

Socio-ecological challenges to Indian in Pakistan: A review

Muhammad Umar, Aleena Naeem and Mubashar Hussain* Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Punjab-Pakistan *Corresponding author’s email: [email protected] Citation Muhammad Umar, Aleena Naeem and Mubashar Hussain. Socio-ecological challenges to Indian Pangolin in Pakistan: A review. Pure and Applied Biology. Vol. 9, Issue 4, pp2207-2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90236 Received: 01/02/2020 Revised: 25/05/2020 Accepted: 21/06/2020 Online First: 07/07/2020 Abstract Indian Pangolin ( crassicaudata) also called as thick-tailed pangolin and scaly anteater, native to the Indian subcontinent is an endangered mammalian species (; Mammalia). The pangolin inhabits areas with prey i.e. a (Odontotermes obesus) and two black (Camponotus confucii and ). We reviewed the published research work carried on Indian pangolin to identify the reasons for the decline in its population in Pakistan. We identified that only a few studies have been conducted on the biology, diversity, ecology, and potential threats to M. crassicaudata in Pakistan. However, some data is available on websites of organizations working on the conservation of , personal communications, newspaper articles and reports. Its populations have been reported from forests, grasslands, sub-mountainous landscapes, and degraded habitats. are under serious threat in Pakistan due to their massive killing for illegal wildlife trade, medicinal and cultural values. Pangolin population is facing declining trend in its population in Northern Punjab and Azad Kashmir (personal communications) due to habitat degradation and deforestation and hunting for fun. Conservation of Indian pangolin needs social awareness through electronic and print media. It is suggested that the curriculum of science at primary and secondary levels should contain introduction of Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU) species like Indian Pangolin (Endangered). We suggest to explore the population dynamics of Indian Pangolin in relation to distribution patterns, feeding preferences, prey availability, habitat suitability and threats. Keywords: Ants, Feeding Preference, Habitat Suitability, Pangolin, Introduction “Endangered Species” mainly due to hunting Indian Pangolin (Mammalia; Pholidota) also and increased [5]. About 50 % called as scaly eater having a unique rigid decline in the population of pangolin has keratinized protective 11-13 rows on body of been estimated in its range in the next 21 blonde-striated scales [1]. Asia and Africa years [6]. As an important wild , it inhabit eight extant species of pangolins [2]. has great importance in the biodiversity of In Pakistan, Pangolin is known as “Salla” [3]. Pakistan, especially since it has been declared It has significance in the natural biological as an endangered species. control of termites and ants. Their burrows Conservation status provide breeding habitat and shelter for other Currently, M. crassicaudata is an endangered species [4]. In the IUCN Red List of species in its distribution range viz. Threatened Species, it is included in Bangladesh, India Pakistan, Nepal and Sri

Published by Bolan Society for Pure and Applied Biology 2207 Umar et al.

Lanka [7, 8]. Since 1975, M. crassicaudata Distribution has been categorized under Appendix II of Fossil Pholidotes have also been found in the CITES (the Convention on International Asia, Africa, Europe and North America [16] Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and is distributed both in plain and hilly areas and Flora) [9]. In 2000, zero export quotas [17]. Indian Pangolin has distribution in have been assigned to pangolin in the South Asia [6, 18] and among all extant international trade [10]. species of pangolin in the order Pholidota, Indian pangolin is basically solitary, shy, only one member M. crassicaudata is nocturnal, fossorial & small sized mammal reported from Pakistan; and also found in whose upper part of body with tail is covered Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Western with overlapping horny and yellowish-brown China [19, 20]. The distribution patterns, scales [11]. Pangolins have a mean gestation population estimates and socio-ecological period of 67 days. It weighs about 0.35 kg at threats to the Indian Pangolin have not been birth, adult grows to a weight 13.015 kg. studied extensively especially in Pakistan. Body length of pangolin reaches 2.0-2.2 ft However, diversity and distribution of Indian including 1.5-1.8 ft armored. Scales ranges pangolin have been explored from Azad from brownish to yellowish with skin Kashmir and Pothwar region [8, 12, 21, 22]. appearing brownish. It makes two types of The studies have recorded its populations in burrows i.e. feeding & living. Feeding Sialkot, Jhelum, Gujrat and Attock and burrows are smaller, formed in spring in the Kohat, Mardan, Peshawar, Kotli, Mirpur and presence of plenty of prey while living Bhimber in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In burrows are wider, deeper & owned for a Sindh, it has been reported from Dadu and longer time. The average height of feeding Larkana whereas in Baluchistan the burrow recorded was 19.73 ± 2.78 cm while occurrence from Makran and Lasbela regions its average width and depth were found 19.46 has been reported [9, 23]. A fossil ancestor of ± 2.86 cm and 0.37 ± 0.02 m, respectively. M. crassicaudata has been discovered from While the average width of living burrow Dadu near Manchar Lake [24]. Indian opening was 24.70 ± 0.99 cm, while the Pangolin has been reported from Margalla average burrow depth recorded was 2.95 ± Hills National Park (elevations 462–1,046 m) 0.10 m [12]. and Pir Lasura National Park (elevation 699- Pangolin feed on termite and ant populations 1559 m) which is the highest reported range gregariously i.e. 70 million insects are in Pakistan [20, 23, 25]. However, its consumed by a single pangolin [8, 13]. occurrence may have not been reported or Pangolins mark their territory by urinating explored from many potential areas including and emitting musky anal secretion. Its Bahawalpur division. It has been documented explorative behavior is defined by three ways from different parts of country, however, i.e. sniffing, bipedal stand & secretions while many potential areas with similar habitat defense behavior includes defensive characters and availability of prey abundance positions & vocalization [14]. Chain-link (ants and termites) need to be explored. mesh, smelling, looking at each other, and Threats to Indian Pangolin squirting urine are important mating patterns The literature indicated scanty work on the [15]. diversity, population dynamics, distribution In Pakistan, Indian pangolin needs to be and potential threats to the Indian Pangolin in conserved in situ while ex situ conservation Pakistan. We have explored, in this review, efforts should be made to reverse the population dynamics and distribution and declining trend of the population growth. potential threats in socio-ecological context

2208 Pure Appl. Biol., 9(4): 2207-2213, December, 2020 http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90236 from the published literature in articles, book its killing mainly for the scales to be used in chapters, newspaper stories and personal bullet proof jackets and making traditional communications. We have identified from medicines [8, 12, 31, 32]. This species is published literature that decline in the hunted by the local peoples for its flesh, skin population of Indian pangolin has been and scales [33]. Due to massive hunting in attributed to the socio-economic issues rather wild habitat, Indian Pangolin is least studied than socio-ecological. However, the impact of species in country and faces high risk of ecological changes in its areas from where it extinction [30]. Its population is expected to has been reported cannot be overlooked. We keep on declining at extreme limit and the did not find any published evidence vital species may be lost very soon without highlighting the impact of habitat conservation efforts. Similarly, another study modification, agricultural practices (use of conducted in the Potohar Plateau (Punjab, pesticides to manage termites and ants) and Pakistan) showed that density estimates were climate change on the biology and ecology of higher in 2010 as compared to 2012. This Pangolin. Perusal literature showed more decrease in density estimate occurred due to focus has been given on illegal hunting and killing of species in the region for illegal trafficking of its parts. Some important issues trade of scales [8, 34]. have been provided below. Local hunting for the trade of scales, use in Hunting medicine and killing based on socio-cultural Indian Pangolin has been found under threats context (human conflict) and hunting for the including massive hunting pressure mainly fun are major reasons for the decline in the for its scales, medicinal importance, and population of Indian pangolin. magical powers [26]. Similarly, killing of Local and international trading Indian Pangolin has been reported from Historically, Pangolin has been trading Sumatra, Indonesia [27] and peninsular internationally because of their commercial Malaysia [28]. Studies reported 30,000 importance [34]. The species is killed mainly pangolin killings from 2000 to 2007 in the for its scales which have importance of local Southeast Asia [28]. Indian Pangolin is and international trade value [8, 32, 33]. highly desirable species for hunting due to its However in China by the mid- 1990s, the flesh, skin and scales [29] that has served as population become commercially extinct and a major cause of being declared as an became dependent on imports mainly from “endangered species” [30]. Despite legal Southeast Asia [30, 35] and this has protection for hunting or selling of pangolins transformed local trade into international for any purpose under the Wildlife trade. (Protection) Act 1972 and inclusion in For scales Appendix II of CITES, the Convention on A survey was conducted to identify the major International Trade in Endangered Species of causes of its hunting that provided that the Wild Fauna and Flora in 2000 [9], the hunting major reason was scales [21, 22, 36], of pangolin has remained consistent in its medicinal importance [29] and ornamental whole range of habitat. It has been reported uses [17]. It has been reported that sometime for illegal hunting and being exported for live is sold @ Rs.10, 000 to 15,000 medicines and many other reasons [5]. The per animal [21]. Illegal trade and export of current estimates of population indicate that scales to China & Vietnam for medicinal the species would soon cease to exist if not purpose has been reported in personal conserved [8, 16]. The declining trend of communication. The literature indicated that population in Pakistan has been attributed to during 2000-2013, millions of individuals

2209 Umar et al. were killed for trade and export of scales characterized by use farm inputs (fertilizers, [33]. Indian Pangolin hunting rate is highest pesticides, farm machinery, etc.) posing in India i.e. Arunachal Pradesh & Odisha serious threats to pangolins. As they are [37]. Trading of Pangolin has been found burrowing animals & make two types of internationally due to their commercial burrows i.e. living & food burrows, so the importance [34]. The species is killed mainly pesticides used for agriculture affects their for its scales which have importance of local habitat [8, 12]. and international trade value [8]. This has Slow reproduction rate driven local trade dynamics with Breeding season (July to October) with one international trade being substituted for generation per year with a litter size of one to regional use in most of the areas. The major two in Potohar region [23]. One of the major reason behind local trade of Indian Pangolin drawbacks for declining of population of is for scales & meat. It is reported that various Indian Pangolin is its very slow reproduction areas of India i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, rate and poor breeding results in captivity Odisha, Manipur & Pakistan i.e. Peshawar, [42, 43]. In Pakistan, little efforts have been Lasbella & Makran are involved in its illegal made on its captive breeding. trade [38]. Different methods are used for Coincidental killing their capturing i.e. caught when sighted or by Though coincidental killing has been on the digging of their burrows. They are killed by record and also been communicated. placing them in boiling water while the scales Coincidental killing of the species by farmers are removed by skinning or peeling off [39]. and local hunters has not been identified as Scales has been found one of the main major cause for the declining trend in the reasons for the killing of pangolins Pakistan. population of Indian pangolin. It has been Used as food and in medicines reported that coincidental killing is less likely The pangolin flesh and fat has been used in to cause a serious decline in the abundance medicines [40]. Traditionally, it is found that [8]. scaly anteater has crucial value in Chinese Conclusion medical & food industry. Due to their Indian pangolin remains as one of the least excessive use, they became extinct in China studied and highest trafficked mammal from since 1990 so that China has to export them Pakistan. During the 1st two decades of the from Asian countries under illegal trade [30]. 21st century, the declining trend in its A study has reported that Pangolin parts are population has been attributed to increased using in medicines in South Korea, East Asia. habitat loss, hunting due to its demand for its Chinese and other traditional medicines also meat, scales, and derived products in addition use the scales of the species to make to socio-cultural beliefs. traditional medicines known as “muti” [41]. The dearth of scientific research on M. They are used as protein source in Veitnam crassicaudata is the major concern in & China [30]. Ethno-medical practitioners conservation planning of the species in (hakims) believe Indian Pangolin as a Pakistan. This review identifies three valuable source of traditional medicines [24]. research areas to be prioritized in order to Habitat degradation generate the essential information to assess Habitat degradation is another important the needs for in-situ conservation planning of factor for its population decline [8, 21]. M. crassicaudata i.e. (1) Ecology, behavior Though its prey species i.e. ants & termites and population abundance of species; (2) are abundant. Increased deforestation and Assessment of hunting, poaching, and increase in the agricultural landscapes trafficking levels of the species; and (3)

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