Manis pentadactyla

The Chinese pangolin is a medium-sized mammal covered in overlapping keratin scales, weighing 2-7 kilograms with a body length of 40-58 centimeters. This nocturnal, solitary species feeds exclusively on ants and termites using its powerful claws to excavate nests and long, sticky tongue to capture prey. As an insectivore, it plays a crucial role in controlling ant and termite populations across its ecosystem.

The species ranges across South and Southeast Asia, from the Himalayan foothills through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and into Bangladesh and northeastern India. It inhabits primary and secondary forests, shrublands, grasslands, and rocky areas, often utilizing caves and burrows for shelter. The pangolin adapts to various elevations, from sea level to mountainous regions.

The Chinese pangolin faces severe threats primarily from intensive hunting and trapping for international wildlife trade. Its scales are highly valued in traditional medicine, while its meat is considered a delicacy. Habitat destruction through logging, mining, road construction, and agricultural expansion further fragments remaining populations. Agricultural runoff degrades habitat quality, while invasive species disrupt local ecosystems.

Conservation efforts include legal protection under CITES Appendix I, prohibiting international trade, and national legislation across range countries. Anti-poaching initiatives, habitat protection programs, and international cooperation to combat trafficking are underway. Several captive breeding programs aim to support population recovery.

Despite these measures, the species continues declining rapidly. Population estimates remain uncertain, but evidence suggests severe reductions across most of its range, with local extinctions reported in several areas. The current trajectory indicates continued decline without intensified conservation intervention.