Updated Status of Indian Pangolin in South East Asia

Abstract

Indian Pangolin is the least studied mammal out of the 8 pangolin species. Since 2011, it is at risk of extinction because of illegal poaching for its scales and meat by local poor community and hunters. Its scales are used for medicines as well as making ornaments and meat is regarded as delicacy in different countries like China and India. Indian pangolin is economically very important as it serves as insect eater as well as provides shelter to other animals and aerates soil through borrowing. According to IUCN, it is regarded as ENDANGERED and will decline by about 50 percent over the next 20 years. So in order to save this species, there is need to aware people about its status at global level. In this article, past 10 years researches considering illegal trading of Indian pangolin in Asia have been reviewed.