Insights into the status and distribution of pangolins in Togo (West Africa)

Abstract

Pangolins are considered among the most threatened mammal species, both globally and also in Africa. However, almost nothing is known on their status and distribution across wide areas of their range, particularly in West African countries. Here, we assess the status and distribution of pangolin species in Togo. Fieldwork was carried out in five localities around the Fazao Malfakassa National Park, five sites around the Togodo Protected Areas Complex (Togodo North and Togodo South National Parks), 'Les Deux Béna' and Missahohe Forest Reserves, Yikpa-Dzigbe, Evou and Afagnan Community Forests. In all of these protected areas and forest islands, only one pangolin species was recorded: the white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis); we found no evidence of the giant ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea), a species that now appears unlikely for Togo. Due to their nocturnal behaviour, we searched for pangolins by spotlighting and estimated their relative abundance using the Kilometric Index of Abundance. Our results show that P. tricuspis is still relatively abundant in suitable habitats in Fazao-Malfakassa National Park, in Togodo North National Park and in the Assoukoko Forest Reserve. These habitats are dense remnant forest patches where numerous termite mounds and ant nests occur. The present study provides unprecedented information on the status of pangolins in Togo to help inform the development of a conservation programme for this species in this country. RésuméLes pangolins sont considérés comme l'une des espèces de mammifères les plus menacées, aussi bien en Afrique que dans le monde entier. Cependant, leur situation et leur répartition au sein de vastes zones de leur aire de répartition reste peu connue, en particulier dans les pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest. Dans cette étude, nous avons évalué la situation et la répartition des espèces de pangolins au Togo. Des travaux de terrain ont été menés au sein de cinq localités situées dans les environs du parc national de Fazao Malfakassa, de cinq sites situés dans les environs du complexe de zones protégées de Togodo (parcs nationaux de Togodo-Nord et Togodo-Sud), des réserves forestières des Deux Béna et de Missahohe, ainsi que des forêts communautaires de Yikpa-Dzigbe, Evou et Afagnan. La présence d'une seule espèce de pangolins a | 343 SEGNIAGBETO ET Al.

Camera trap survey of mammals in the Fazao‐Malfakassa National Park, Togo, West Africa

“…Similarly, another study (Atsri et al., 2020) reported that 60% of the buffer zone surrounding the FMNP is also now degraded, with agriculture, charcoal and firewood production cited as being the main drivers that detrimentally affect habitats. In addition, hunting activity (mostly targeting mammals, especially ungulates) has been reported in undisturbed and degraded areas of the FMNP buffer zone (Atsri et al., 2020), and illegal hunting activity (which is carried out to supply demand for bush meat, traditional medicine and the international exotic pet trade) has been reported within the boundaries of the National Park (Segniagbeto, Assou, et al., 2020). Globally, such anthropogenic influences are considered to have caused biodiversity loss, species and population extirpations and declines in local species abundance (IPBES, 2019), including other parts of the West African forest‐savannah mosaic.…”

“…Noticeable, from our survey is the absence of other threatened taxa such as the African lion (Vulnerable) and leopard (Vulnerable) both of which are currently considered as possibly extinct in Togo (Bauer et al, 2016). In addition, the absence of mona monkey (Near Threatened), lesser spot-nosed guenon (Near Threatened), white-thighed colobus monkey (Critically Endangered) and white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis; Endangered) is noticeable given that these species have been previously reported from within the FMNP (Segniagbeto, Assou, et al, 2020;Segniagbeto et al, 2017).…”

Can DNA help trace the local trade of pangolins? A genetic assessment of white-bellied pangolins from the Dahomey Gap (West Africa)

“…Recent genetic investigations have shown that WBP consisted of six cryptic, geographically traceable lineages [9], one of which occurs ‘outside’ the rainforest blocks, in a West African savannah corridor interspersed with very fragmented forest cover, the Dahomey Gap[10]. The Dahomey Gap lineage (DGL) is of peculiar patrimonial importance as it is endemic to a unique biogeographical zone in western Africa (from Togo to Benin and southwestern Nigeria; [9] and likely is the only pangolin species surviving in the Dahomey Gap [11, 12].…”

“…DGL populations currently suffer from intense levels of deforestation and hunting. Populations are fragmented into –generally small– patches of forest islands, and have drastically decreased in abundance through the last decades [11, 12]. In Togo and Benin, WBG is hunted for its meat and use in traditional medicine, both contributing to its overexploitation [11, 12].…”

“…Populations are fragmented into –generally small– patches of forest islands, and have drastically decreased in abundance through the last decades [11, 12]. In Togo and Benin, WBG is hunted for its meat and use in traditional medicine, both contributing to its overexploitation [11, 12]. Because of the recent seizure of scales intended to the international trade (Cotonou airport; [4]) the prominent proportion of DGL in Asian seizures [8] and the established traffick hub in the neighbouring Nigeria [13], there is a serious risk that DGL populations are exploited in unsustainable volumes.…”