Key Takeaways
- Pangolin smuggled from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve rescued.
About Pangolins
- What are Pangolins?
- Pangolins are scaly anteater mammals with huge protective keratin scales. They are the only mammals known to have this characteristic.
- When threatened, it uses these scales as armour to defend itself against predators by rolling into a ball.
- What do they Eat?
- Pangolins are nocturnal creatures that eat mostly ants and termites.
- Habitats of Pangolins in India
- Main Threats – Illegal hunting and poaching for local use and illicit international trade
- Conservation Status
| Pangolins | Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 | IUCN Status | CITES |
| Indian Pangolin | Schedule 1 | Endangered | Appendix 1 |
| Chinese Pangolin | Schedule 1 | Critically Endangered | Appendix 1 |
About Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
- Location – At the confluence of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges, the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is located in the eastern region of Rajasthan, between the districts of Karauli and Sawai Madhopur.
- Comprises – The Ranthambore National Park, as well as the Sawai Mansingh and Keladevi Sanctuaries, are all part of it.
- Vegetation
- Grasslands on plateaus and lush forests near seasonal streams make up the vegetation.
- Tropical dry deciduous forests dominate the landscape.
- Wildlife
- Leopards, striped hyenas, common or hanuman langurs, rhesus macaques, jackals, jungle cats, caracals, blackbuck, Blacknaped hare, and chinkara are among the animals found here.
- There are roughly 272 bird species recorded in the park thus far.
- Part of Project Tiger
Source – The Hindu