For the first time, scientists have radio-tagged the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), one of the two pangolin species found in India. Radio-tagging involves attaching a transmitter to an animal to monitor its movement. Tagging by the Madhya Pradesh forest department will help understand the habits of the reclusive, nocturnal animal.
About Indian Pangolin
- Pangolins are among the most trafficked wildlife species in the world.
- Pangolins are commonly known as ‘scaly anteaters’,
- Out of the eight species of pangolin, the Indian and the Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) are found in India. The Chinese Pangolin is found in northeastern India, while the Indian Pangolin is distributed in other parts of the countrys as well as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
- The Indian pangolin is hunted for meat and used in traditional Chinese medicine.
- Indian pangolin is endangered animal that is rarely sighted in forests here.
- Both these species are listed under Schedule I Part I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
