Post-Release Habitat Use and Conservation of Rescued Chinese Pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) in Dhading, Nepal

Post-Release Habitat Use and Conservation of Rescued Chinese Pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) in Dhading, Nepal | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 28 November 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Post-Release Habitat Use and Conservation of Rescued Chinese Pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) in Dhading, Nepal Authors : Shila Gurung 0000-0002-2145-6459 [email protected] , Tulshi Suwal , Bishnu Achhami , Satish Paudel , Ritu Joshi , Prakriti Pathak , and Raj Koirala Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176432631.14270816/v1 247 views 137 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), a critically endangered small mammal facing threats from habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, and anthropogenic pressures in Nepal. Post-release population dynamics and habitat use of rescued and rehabilitated pangolins’ information are scarce. The study aimed to provide the missing information by recording the habitat of the released Chinese Pangolins in Thulo Ban Community Forest and comparing them with wild populations in Panchakanya Community Forest, Dhading. Fieldwork was conducted during the pangolin’s breeding season in early 2024, through the belt transects and burrow counts to record pangolin presence, along with assessments of habitat features (elevation, slope, canopy cover, soil color, and prey abundance). Interviews with key informants provided insights on conservation and the feasibility of setting up a Pangolin Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (PRRC). Findings revealed significant differences in habitat use as burrows of rescued pangolins were found at lower elevations (500–650 m), north-facing slopes with less canopy cover, while wild populations were at higher elevations (800–950 m), east-facing slopes with moderate canopy cover. In both areas, soil color and proximity to termite colonies and water sources determined burrow locations. The release site faced greater threats from forest fires, live traps and had a lower density of active burrows than the natural habitat. The community survey indicated that local people support establishing a PRRC in areas where rescue activities are frequent. This study provides the first comprehensive data on post-release pangolin habitat in Nepal, highlighting critical conservation priorities to inform management strategies for this endangered species. Supplementary Material File (figure_3.tif) Download 12.67 MB File (manuscript_final.docx) Download 4.13 MB File (raw data.xlsx) Download 25.76 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 28 November 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords description none of the above terrestrial vertebrate Authors Affiliations Shila Gurung 0000-0002-2145-6459 [email protected] Tribhuvan University Institute of Forestry View all articles by this author Tulshi Suwal Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation View all articles by this author Bishnu Achhami Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation View all articles by this author Satish Paudel Tribhuvan University Institute of Forestry View all articles by this author Ritu Joshi Tribhuvan University Institute of Forestry View all articles by this author Prakriti Pathak Tribhuvan University Institute of Forestry View all articles by this author Raj Koirala Tribhuvan University Institute of Forestry View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 247 views 137 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Shila Gurung, Tulshi Suwal, Bishnu Achhami, et al. Post-Release Habitat Use and Conservation of Rescued Chinese Pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) in Dhading, Nepal. Authorea . 28 November 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176432631.14270816/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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