Mortality and morbidity in wild Taiwanese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla)

Abstract

Globally, pangolins are threatened by poaching and illegal trade. Taiwan presents a contrary situation, where the wild pangolin population has stabilized and even begun to increase in the last two decades. This paper illustrates the factors responsible for causing mortality and morbidity in the wild Taiwanese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla) based on radio-tracking data of wild pangolins and records of sick or injured pangolins admitted to a Taiwanese wildlife rehabilitation center. Despite being proficient burrowers, results from radio-tracking show that Taiwanese pangolins are highly susceptible to getting trapped in tree hollows or ground burrows. Data from Pingtung Rescue Center for Endangered Wild Animals showed that trauma (73.0%) was the major reason for morbidity in the Taiwanese pangolin with trauma from gin traps being the leading cause (77.8%), especially during the dry season, followed by tail injuries caused by dog attacks (20.4%). Despite these threats, Taiwan has had substantial success in rehabilitating and releasing injured pangolins, primarily due to the close collaboration of Taiwanese wildlife rehabilitation centers over the last twenty years.

Fatal canine parvovirus‐2 (CPV‐2) infection in a rescued free‐ranging Taiwanese pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla )

“…Four of them, including the Chinese pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla ), the Sunda or Malayan pangolin ( M. javanica ), the Philippine pangolin ( M. culioensis ) and the Indian or thick‐tailed pangolin ( M. crassicaudata ), are prevalent in Asia. Furthermore, these animals are either endangered or threatened due to habitat loss and human consumption (Khatri‐Chhetri, Sun, Wu, & Pei, ; Sun et al, ). The Taiwanese pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla ), a subspecies of Chinese pangolin, is found exclusively in Taiwan (Khatri‐Chhetri et al, ; Sun et al, ).…”

“…Furthermore, these animals are either endangered or threatened due to habitat loss and human consumption (Khatri‐Chhetri, Sun, Wu, & Pei, ; Sun et al, ). The Taiwanese pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla ), a subspecies of Chinese pangolin, is found exclusively in Taiwan (Khatri‐Chhetri et al, ; Sun et al, ). While global wild pangolin populations are commonly threatened by poaching and illegal trade, the wild population of Taiwanese pangolins has been steadily increasing since 1989.…”

“…While global wild pangolin populations are commonly threatened by poaching and illegal trade, the wild population of Taiwanese pangolins has been steadily increasing since 1989. Stabilization and repopulation of the species are the direct result of the government instated Wildlife Conservation Act to prohibit the poaching and illegal trade of Taiwanese pangolins (Sun et al, ).…”

“…However, other aetiologies such as infectious agents and toxins may also contribute to morbidity and mortality in wild Taiwanese pangolins (Khatri‐Chhetri et al, ). Documented dog attacks in rescued Taiwanese pangolins provide evidence of direct contact and habitat overlapping between free‐ranging Taiwanese pangolins and carnivores, especially stray dogs (Chin & Tsao, ; Sun et al, ). Shared environments can lead to increased disease transmission among susceptible species.…”

Reproductive Behaviors of Wild Chinese Pangolin (Manis Pentadactyla): A Case Study Based on Long-Term Monitoring

“…This study was conducted in Taitung County, eastern Taiwan (22°90'N, 121°18'E), located at the southern end of the Coastal Mountain Range 8 . It is one of the areas in Taiwan where a stable pangolin population can be found 17 . Due to the long history of human encroachment, there is no primary forest in this area.…”