Wild Animals

Pangolin Welfare and Illegal Trade

Pangolins are the world's most trafficked wild mammal, suffering enormous welfare harm through capture and trade.

Key Facts

All eight pangolin species are listed as vulnerable to critically endangered on the IUCN Red List
An estimated one million pangolins have been trafficked in the past decade
Pangolins typically die within days of capture due to the extreme stress of confinement
Their scales are used in traditional medicine despite no proven medicinal efficacy
DNA testing and stricter border controls have improved but not eliminated trafficking

Welfare Considerations

Pangolin trafficking causes extreme welfare harm at the point of capture and during transport, with most animals dying before reaching their destination. The scale of pangolin trafficking makes it both a conservation crisis and a massive animal welfare emergency. Eliminating demand for pangolin products in traditional medicine markets is the most effective intervention.

What You Can Do

Oppose and raise awareness about pangolin trafficking
Support organisations working on pangolin conservation and anti-trafficking enforcement
Advocate for stricter penalties for wildlife trafficking
Support communities near pangolin habitats through development alternatives to wildlife crime
Engage with demand reduction campaigns in countries where pangolin products are consumed