Sacred Forest in Nepal Shelters Critically Endangered Pangolin

A critically endangered Chinese pangolin has been caught on camera in a sacred community forest in Nepal, proving that even the smallest protected spaces can shelter threatened wildlife.

Researchers from Tribhuvan University installed camera traps in Panchakanya community forest in Nepal's Sunsari district this January. On January 21, the cameras recorded a male Chinese pangolin, likely the first video evidence of the species in the area.

The forest spans just 0.22 square miles, tucked between villages, farmland, roads, and the Sewti River. Despite its size, researchers found nearly 30 pangolin burrows and other signs of activity, especially near ant and termite colonies that pangolins feast on.

Lead researcher Tujin Rai says the evidence suggests more than one pangolin may call this forest home, though the team has only confirmed one individual so far. Long-term monitoring will help determine the actual population size.

Chinese pangolins face threats from both habitat loss and poaching across their range. Every verified population matters for conservation, especially those living outside official protected areas where most conservation efforts focus.

The Bright Side

What makes this discovery special is how the forest has survived. A Hindu temple within Panchakanya is revered by locals, giving the forest natural protection through spiritual significance.

The community forest user group has also established guidelines on harvesting forest products, livestock grazing, and other activities that could harm the ecosystem. Local traditions and religious beliefs have kept patches of the forest relatively intact.

Kumar Paudel, a pangolin specialist from nonprofit Greenhood Nepal, says communities can reduce poaching and prioritize protecting pangolin habitats while managing forests. The group has installed conservation boards to raise awareness about the species.

Human activities like firewood collection, mushroom gathering, and religious gatherings still impact the forest. Rai emphasizes that proactive community stewardship will be essential for the pangolin's survival in this small sanctuary.

This tiny forest proves that conservation doesn't always require vast wilderness areas when communities choose to protect what's sacred.