Khattak Romaan Hayat, Ahmad Shakeel, Mehmood Tahir, Dou Hongliang, Gao Haiyang, Sun Song, Hua Yan
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou 510520, China.
Carnivore Conservation Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad 45302, Pakistan.
Biology (Basel). 2024 Sep 16;13(9):727. doi: 10.3390/biology13090727.
The Indian pangolin () stands out among the four surviving species of Asian pangolins, being the sole species present in Pakistan and listed as endangered owing to trafficking and illicit commerce. In the present study, we explored the population status of the Indian pangolin and the existing suitable habitats in Nowshera district, Pakistan. We employed the line transect method to confirm the species presence and subsequent population estimation. In a survey effort of 156 km, a total of 56 signs of Indian pangolin were recorded within the research area. Amongst the 56 signs, 46 were burrows (living burrows (53.57%) and feeding burrows (28.57%)). Digging was observed nine (16.07%) times, along with one direct sighting (1.7%). Our results revealed a population estimate of only 29 pangolins in the Nowshera district, with a population density of 0.013 individuals/km. Later, MaxEnt was applied to the species' presence points, along with climatic and topographical variables. The MaxEnt model accuracy was good (AUC = 0.811). Of the total area studied, 210 km (12.01%) were highly suitable and 238 km (13.61%) were moderately suitable habitat for the Indian pangolin. To safeguard the fragile population and habitat of the Indian pangolin, we highly suggest strengthening watch and ward and law enforcement in the study area. By adopting a comprehensive approach that addresses both the direct threats to Indian pangolins and the underlying factors driving their decline, we can effectively protect this endangered species and ensure the preservation of its essential habitats for robust conservation.
印度穿山甲（）在现存的四种亚洲穿山甲中脱颖而出，是巴基斯坦唯一存在的物种，由于非法捕猎和贸易被列为濒危物种。在本研究中，我们探索了巴基斯坦瑙谢拉地区印度穿山甲的种群状况和现有的适宜栖息地。我们采用样线法来确认该物种的存在并进行后续的种群估计。在156公里的调查范围内，研究区域内共记录到56个印度穿山甲的踪迹。在这56个踪迹中，有46个是洞穴（居住洞穴（53.57%）和觅食洞穴（28.57%））。观察到挖掘行为9次（16.07%），还有1次直接目击（1.7%）。我们的结果显示，瑙谢拉地区的印度穿山甲种群估计仅为29只，种群密度为0.013只/公里。随后，将最大熵模型（MaxEnt）应用于该物种的出现点，并结合气候和地形变量。最大熵模型的准确性良好（AUC = 0.811）。在研究的总面积中，210平方公里（12.01%）为高度适宜栖息地，238平方公里（13.61%）为中度适宜的印度穿山甲栖息地。为了保护印度穿山甲脆弱的种群和栖息地，我们强烈建议加强研究区域的警戒和执法力度。通过采取综合措施，解决对印度穿山甲的直接威胁及其数量下降的潜在因素，我们可以有效地保护这一濒危物种，并确保保护其关键栖息地以实现有力的保护。
