Habitat Occupancy of the Critically Endangered Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) Under Human Disturbance in an Urban Environment: Implications for Conservation.

ABSTRACT: Globally, urban expansion has led to habitat fragmentation and altered resource availability, thus posing significant challenges for wildlife. The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is a critically endangered species experiencing population decline due to illegal trade and habitat degradation. This study analyzed variables affecting habitat occupancy of Chinese pangolins using a single-season occupancy model across 134 study grids (600 m × 600 m) in peri-urban areas of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City, eastern Nepal. We identified termite mounds as a significant key factor (top model with AICwt = 1) in the detection probability of Chinese pangolin burrows (β _{Termite mounds} = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.07 to 1.89). Additionally, the Human Disturbance Index (HDI) emerged as the

SUBMITTER: Subba A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11646938 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature