A photographic record of the Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia: Pholidota: Manidae) from Pakyong District, Sikkim, India

Authors

  • Prashanti Pradhan Sikkim Alpine University, Kamrang Campus, Namchi, Sikkim-737126, India; Assam Downtown University, Panikhaiti, Guwahati, Kamrup Metropolitan District, Assam 781026, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3048-4665
  • Jampal Dorjee Bhutia Sikkim Alpine University, Kamrang Campus, Namchi, Sikkim-737126, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8196-4398
  • Prem Kumar Chettri Forest & Environment Department, Government of Sikkim, Deorali, Gangtok, Sikkim 737102, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6331-3002
  • Bharat Kumar Pradhan Sikkim Biodiversity Board, Forest & Environment Department, Government of Sikkim, Deorali, Gangtok, Sikkim 737102, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7912-6152

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10480.18.6.29143-29145

Keywords:

Critically Endangered, eastern Himalaya, human-wildlife interaction, habitat fragmentation, illegal wildlife trade, mammal

Abstract

An adult individual of Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactyla was encountered within a human habitation at Barapathing, Pakyong District, Sikkim, India. The animal was rescued and rehabilitated by the Barapathing Territorial Range, Forest & Environment Department, Government of Sikkim into the forest. This observation provides photographic evidence of Manis pentadactyla in Sikkim and highlights human-wildlife interactions probably driven by habitat fragmentation due to road construction and upgradation. This record emphasizes the urgent need for systematic surveys and conservation interventions in the region as the species is Critically Endangered. 

References

Aditya, V., R. Goswami, A. Mendis & R. Roopa (2021). Scale of the issue: Mapping the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on pangolin trade across India. Biological Conservation 257: 109136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109136

ADB (2026). Environmental Impact Assessment (Draft): Sikkim Major District Roads Upgradation Project (Project No. 52159-002). Asian Development Bank, Manila.

Atkins, W.A. (2004). Pholidota Pangolins (Manidae). In: Grzimek, B., D.G. Kleiman, V. Geist & M.C. McDade (eds.). Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia, Volume 16. Gale Group, Detroit, 704 pp.

Avasthe, R. & A. Jha (1999). Mammals of Sikkim. WWF-India, 99 pp.

Challender, D., S. Wu, P. Kaspal, A. Khatiwada, A. Ghose, C.M.N. Su & T.L. Suwal (2019). Manis pentadactyla. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T12764A123585318. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T12764A123585318.en. Accessed on 15.xii.2025.

Gaubert, P. (2011). Family Manidae (pangolins). In: Wilson, D.E. & R.A. Mittermeier (eds.). Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Vol. 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, 886 pp.

IUCN (2022). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. Accessed on 12.xii.2025.

Lepcha, T.W., T. Chandy, C.S. Rao, N.W. Tamang, N. Subba, S. Sathyakumar, K. Ramesh, T. Bhattacharya, A. Maheshwari & A. Arunkumar (2017). Wildlife Population Estimation for all Protected Areas of Sikkim 2016–2017. Department of Forests, Environment and Wildlife Management, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok, 72 pp.

Martin, J. (2024). Where low-tech meets high-tech in pangolin conservation: The pangolin universal notching system. Oryx- The International Journal of Conservation (Blog). https://www.oryxthejournal.org/blog/where-low-tech-meets-high-tech-in-pangolin-conservation-the-pangolin-universal-notching-system/. Accessed on 17.iv.2026.

Misra, M. & N. Hanfee (2000). Pangolin distribution and trade in east and northeast India. TRAFFIC Dispatches 14: 4–5.

NEDFi (2024). Northeastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. Roadways: Length of National Highways in North-East India (2014–2024). Northeastern Region Databank. https://databank.nedfi.com/ne-infrastructure/roadways. Accessed on 14.xii.2025).

Naulak, T. & S. Pradhan (2020). A checklist of mammals with historical records from Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya landscape, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 12(11): 16434–16459. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.6062.12.11.16434-16459

Sathyakumar, S., T. Bashir, T. Bhattacharya & K. Poudyal (2011b). Mammals of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere, pp. 327–350. In: Arrawatia, M.L. & S. Tambe (eds.). Biodiversity of Sikkim: Exploring and Conserving a Global Hotspot, Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Sikkim, 542 pp.

Srinivasulu, C. & B. Srinivasulu (2012). South Asian Mammals: Their Diversity, Distribution, and Status. Springer, New York, 467 pp.

Suwal, T.L., A. Thapa, S. Gurung, P.C. Aryal, H. Basnet & K. Basnet (2020). Predicting the potential distribution and habitat variables associated with pangolins in Nepal. Global Ecology and Conservation 23: e01049. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01049

The Statesman (2021). Five from Sikkim held with dead pangolin. The Statesman. https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/siliguri/siliguri-five-sikkim-held-dead-pangolin-1502753188.html. Accessed on 26.iv.2026.

Wong, B.B.M. & U. Candolin (2014). Behavioral responses to changing environments. Behavioral Ecology 26(3): 665–673. https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/aru183

Zoological Survey of India (2002). Pangolins (Mammalia: Pholidota) of India. ENVIS Newsletter 9: 1–2.

Downloads

Published

26-06-2026

Issue

Section

Notes