Ecology of the tree pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) in northern Benin

Mammalian fauna, in particular the Phataginus tricuspis population, is under heavy anthropogenic pressure. This study aims to protect the Phataginus tricuspis and conserve its habitat for sustainable development in the Monts Kouffé classified forest. Surveys were carried out in the FCMK. Data collection was based on the search for evidence of the presence of Phataginus tricuspis. Socio-ethnozoological data were collected in 10 markets for the sale of remains in the commune of Bassila. The ethnozoological indices calculated showed that magico-mystical and food uses remained the most common categories. Menly’s alpha values for tree savannahs, shrub savannahs, open forests and gallery forests were 0.01, 0.16, 0.017 and 0.16 respectively. This shows that these habitats are avoided by Phataginus triscuspis. Menly’s alpha index values of 0.8 >1/m Phataginus tricuspis show that the animal prefers dense dry forests. It would therefore be desirable to reinforce actions for the sustainable management of this animal species.