Camera trapping the Palawan Pangolin Manis culionensis (Mammalia: Pholidota: Manidae) in the wild

Abstract

The Palawan Pangolin Manis culionensis is restricted to the Palawan faunal region in the Philippines. The species' distribution and natural history are poorly known due, in part, to it only recently being recognized as a distinct species. Pangolin species around the world are threatened due to habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade. Understanding the conservation requirements of the Palawan Pangolin will inform efforts to avert its extinction. Presently, information on the status, distribution, and natural history of pangolins is largely derived from interviews with local people, radio-telemetry, transect surveys for pangolin sign, and camera trapping. Here we test the ability of fish oil- and pig blood-baited camera traps to document the presence of Palawan Pangolin. We obtained three photos at two localities in Palawan in mangrove, lowland forest, and riverine forest.