Investigation into spatial distribution of Pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) In Mbe Mountain Corridor of Cross River National Park

Abstract

Background: This study assessed the distribution of Pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) in Mbe Mountain Corridor of Cross River National Park with a view to estimate its spatial distribution, population structure and vegetation distribution for a period of four months (September to December 2020). Method: The sites were visited from 7.00 am- 10.00 am in the morning and 4.00pm to 6.00 pm in the evening. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The spatial distribution of Pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) revealed that Obue trail had the highest percentage of 56.3%, follows by Mbe trail with 31.2% and the least was sighted in Mbep trail with 12.5%. The highest number of observations was recorded in the month of December with 9 sighting, followed by October with 3 observations while the month of September and November recorded 2 observations each. The sex distribution of pangolin revealed that females were the higher in the observations with 11 sighting than the male with only 5 observations. The populations structure of pangolin (P. tetradactyla) shows that sub-adult was the highest in observation (7) while adult and juvenile recorded 5 and 4 observations respectively. 56.3% of the observations were sighted at Diospyros mistiliformis vegetation, Terminalia superba with 31.2% while 12.5% were observed at Brachystegia eurycoma vegetation. P. tetradactyla were seen running more than feeding with sleeping being the least activity observed. Conclusion: The study revealed the presence of P. tetradactyla (Pangolin) in all the three trails in the study area. This study has confirmed the presence of Pangolin in Mbe Mountain Corridor of Cross River National Park and their preferred vegetation.