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Scientists radio-tag Indian pangolin
Why in news?
- For the first time, scientists have radio-tagged the Indian pangolin, an endangered animal that is rarely sighted in forests here.
More in news
- Radio-tagging involves attaching a transmitter to an animal to monitor its movement.
- Tagging the animal will help understand the habits of the reclusive, nocturnal animal.
- About Pangolin
(1) The Indian pangolin, which dons a thick scaly skin, is hunted for meat, skin,scales and used in traditional Chinese medicine.
(2) Pangolins are among the most trafficked CITES-protected, wildlife species in the world.
(3) The projected population declines range from 50% to 80% across the genus.
(4) Out of the eight species of pangolin, the Indian and the Chinese pangolins are found in India.
(5) Both these species are listed under Schedule I Part I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
(6) IUCN Status
(a) Indian Pangolin: Endangered (found on the Indian subcontinent)
(b) Chinese pangolin: Critically Endangered (found in northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, northern Indochina, through most of Taiwan, and southern China)
Sources
The Hindu