The Presence of Pangolin through Camera Trap Assessment in Ratnagiri District of Northern Western Ghat of Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Manis crassicaudata (Indian Pangolin), distribution and natural history are poorly known in India. There is much worry regarding the regarding the conservation status of this species across the nation and globe. Pangolins are threatened due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade and are highly trafficked mammals in the world. It is essential to understand ecology and distribution of the species and streamline specific species conservation action plan. Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra (SNM) with the support of the forest department and local bodies carried out camera trap assessment to study the presence of the species in Northern Western Ghat of Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, India. The baseline data derived through local interviews, Traditional knowledge of indigenous communities was used to track species burrows and conduct transect survey. In the present study 36 Camera trap were deployed to document the presence of the species across the region. Camera traps resulted in 1.7% success rate and documented 192 photos and 49 videos of Pangolin activity.