Study gives scale to pangolin’s chances
TWO years ago, Wendy Panaino had not even heard of pangolins. Now she spends most of her nights tracking them in the semi-arid heat of the Kalahari to gauge how a hotter world could affect the elusive animal.
The ground pangolin is found in parts of southern and eastern Africa that are expected to become hotter and drier with climate change.
The Wits University Master’s student in ecology, environment and conservation says too little is known about how pangolins, which have a low metabolic rate and poor insulation, respond to changes in climate.
That’s why she is investigating the body temperature, diet and activities of pangolins in the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve.
“If pangolins are to survive the direct (heat) and indirect (prey availability) effects of a changing climate, they will need physiological and behavioural flexibility.”
Panaino has fitted several pangolins with very high frequency transmitters to track individuals and uses camera traps to study their environments.
Six pangolins have been implanted with data loggers that record body temperature every five minutes.
Panaino says pangolins’ burrow microhabitats may protect them from temper- ature extremes.
“Hotter and drier environments may also have indirect effects on pangolins, particularly by altering the availability of ants and termites on which they feed.
“Body temperature can tell us a lot about nutrition and hydration status.
“We should get a good idea of the seasonal changes in 24hour core body temperature patterns in relation to climatic factors and prey availability.”
All eight species of pangolins – the mammals most often trafficked illegally – will probably be accorded the highest level of international trade protection by the Cites conference beginning in Joburg next weekend.