Chitwan, Feb. 12 -- Often unseen and little understood, the pangolin-known as salak in Nepali-plays a crucial ecological role that benefits both farmers and forests. Conservationists stress the need to preserve this elusive mammal, which faces growing threats from poaching, habitat loss and poor public awareness about conservation.

Tulasi Laxmi Suwal, who completed her doctoral research on pangolins, worries that the animal's ecological importance is often overlooked. "In countries where pangolins are not found, the governments spend large amounts of money controlling termites. Pangolins naturally control termites and ants. Their presence means fewer pest-related problems for agriculture and settlements," she said.

Pangolins feed mainly...