Abstract: Understanding the population status of endangered wild species is the premise and basis for effective protection. Manis pentadactyla is a wild species under China’s first class protection. The lack of data on its distribution range, population size and dynamic changes seriously restricts the protection and management. In this study, the spatial and temporal patterns of Manis pentadactyla activity were analyzed by systematically collecting the information about Manis pentadactyla from news reports, reference documents, infrared camera recordings, etc. in different cities of Zhejiang Province from 2005 to 2021. The results showed that there were 85 records of pangolin in various cities of Zhejiang Province, among which 67 records could be identified as relating to Manis pentadactyla. Manis pentadactyla is widely distributed in Zhejiang Province but relatively concentrated in Wenzhou, Lishui, and Hangzhou. The activity of Manis pentadactyla was recorded during 2005 to 2021 except for the year 2008, 2009, and 2011. Manis pentadactyla showed an obvious pattern of monthly records, which was concentrated from June to August. There were 35 records during the three months, accounting for 52.24% of the total records. With the improvement of residents’ awareness of conservation and the use of infrared cameras in various natural protected areas, the record number of Manis pentadactyla showed a trend of obvious increase. This study preliminarily clarifies the distribution of Manis pentadactyla in Zhejiang Province, and provides basic data for future investigation of Manis pentadactyla.

Key words: Zhejiang Province, Chinese pangolin, distribution, reintroduction.