The significance of India’s Nandankanan Zoological Park recently made headlines when it successfully released a radio-tagged Indian pangolin back into the wild following strict release protocols and provision for post-release monitoring. The process of radio-tagging involves attaching a transmitter to an animal in order to monitor its movements. This practice has been applied to various wild animals such as tigers, leopards and migratory birds over the years.
Understanding Pangolins: Nature’s Scaly Anteaters
Pangolins are unique mammals known for their large, protective keratin scales that cover their skin, a feature exclusive to this kind of mammal. They use these scales as a defensive shield to protect themselves from predators by rolling into a ball when they feel threatened.
Furthermore, they’re primarily nocturnal creatures and are insectivores, sustaining themselves mainly on ants and termites. They’re equipped with particularly long tongues which they utilize to catch their prey.
The Different Types of Pangolins
Out of the eight species of pangolins, two namely; the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) can be found in India. The distinguishing characteristic between the two is that the Indian Pangolin is a larger anteater and has approximately 11-13 rows of scales on its back. Additionally, the Indian Pangolin has a terminal scale present on the lower side of the tail, which the Chinese variant lacks.
Habitat Distribution
The Indian Pangolin is distributed widely across India, barring the arid regions, high Himalayas, and the North-East. It also has habitats in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Conversely, the Chinese Pangolin inhabits the Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northern India, North-East Bangladesh and Southern China.
Threats to Pangolins in India
Pangolins in India are facing threats due to hunting and poaching for local consumptive use, like protein sourcing and traditional medicine. International trading of their meat and scales is prevalent in East and South East Asian countries, especially China and Vietnam. This makes them the most trafficked mammal on the planet.
Conservation Status of Pangolins
Under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, pangolins come under Schedule I. According to the IUCN Red List, they are classified as endangered, with the Chinese Pangolin listed as ‘critically endangered’. In the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), they are listed under Appendix I.
Nandankanan Zoological Park’s Role in Wildlife Conservation
Situated just 15 kms from Odisha’s capital Bhubaneswar, Nandankanan Zoological Park was inaugurated in 1960. It has the distinction of being the first zoo in the country to join the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA). The WAZA is a global coalition of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums that commits to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats globally.
Acknowledged as one of the leading zoos for the breeding of the Indian pangolin and the white tiger, Nandankanan Zoological Park also breeds leopards, mouse deer, lions, rats and vultures. The park made history by becoming the world’s first captive crocodile breeding centre, where gharials were bred in captivity as early as 1980.
In addition, the State Botanical Garden of Nandankanan serves as one of Odisha’s pioneering plant conservation and nature education centres.