Dataset of distribution, habitats and conservation status of the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in Sri Lanka

Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is the only pangolin species present in Sri Lanka. There is no comprehensive assessment of its ecology or conservation status carried out in the Sri Lankan context. The dataset described herein is a compilation of information on the distribution, habitats and conservation status of Indian pangolins in Sri Lanka which is collected from a variety of primary and secondary data sources. All information included in the dataset has been recorded between January 2000 and December 2018. The data on distribution, crimes and rescue activities involving Indian pangolins all over the country were collected from the registries maintained by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Department of National Zoological Gardens and non governmental organizations committed to the conservation of wildlife in Sri Lanka. Verified records from mass media and reliable field data gathered by the authors and their contact networks were further included in the dataset. The data on the distribution can be analyzed to identify the different habitats of the Indian pangolins and their abundance in different climatic zones. The data on distribution include the recorded area, habitat and approximate GPS coordinates of the recorded locality. The data on crimes involving pangolins was extracted from the offices of the Department of Wildlife Conservation which record the crime, date of crime, approximate GPS coordinates of localities where crimes occurred, nature of the crime and fines/actions taken against the offenders. Data on the rescue events include approximate GPS coordinates of the places where the Indian pangolins were rescued, health conditions at the point of rescue and post rescue status [1].