A pangolin survey in Royal Nagarjung Forest in Kathmandu, Nepal

A pangolin (scaly anteaters, Manis spp., an endangered species) survey was carried out in January 1993 on the southern slopes of this forest, which are dominated by Schima wallichii - other types of forest found are those dominated by Pinus roxburghii , and mixed broadleaved and dry oak ( Quercus ) forests. The forest supports a variety of other wildlife species, and has been protected as a royal hunting reserve since the Rana period, although access by local people has been allowed since 1952, and illicit felling and hunting is carried out. No live specimens of pangolins were found but active burrows were identified and are described. A skin of Manis pentadactyla (the Chinese pangolin) was found in one of the villages, but there was no evidence found of the Indian pangolin ( M. crassicaudata ) which is also likely to occur in this region.