Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) is an ant/termite eater, listed as a critically \nendangered species under the IUCN and is categorized in Appendix II under OTES \nbecause it is highly threatened by illegal wildlife trade activities. To conserve pangolin \nand their habitats, it is necessary to understand the ecology of the animal. The study \naims to determine the ecological information; activity time and habitat use of Sunda \npangolin. Ecology of the Sunda pangolin was investigated by non-invasive method \nusing camera traps in Sepilok Forest Reserve, Sabah. Other methods used were field \nobservation and interviews. In this study, preferences of microhabitat were \ndetermined by analysing the termite nest distribution and den selection. Pangolin's \nactivity time was also determined from camera trap data. As a result, a total of three \nvisual evidences recorded in point location where there are high numbers of termites \nshowing pangolin preferred habitat with high abundance of food source. The study \nalso showed pangolin selected dens associated with larger trees, suggesting mature \ntrees are very crucial for the survival of the species. General view on pangolin was \ncollected through interviews with 101 respondents consisting of wildlife officers and \nlocal communities. The study also revealed that pangolin populations may decreased \nand expected to be threatened due to continual demand for pangolin scales. \nChallenges confronting Sunda pangolin and recommendation for future research of \nthis species were also discussed.
Author: Elisa Panjang
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2889513311