Pangolins are the most heavily trafficked wild mammals globally, with all eight species threatened by demand for their scales and meat.
Pangolins captured for trafficking experience extreme stress — as shy, slow-moving animals they have no evolutionary defence against human capture beyond curling into a ball. This defensive behaviour makes them easier to collect and transport. Animals kept alive during transit suffer dehydration and starvation in cramped conditions. Their unique diet of ants and termites cannot be replicated in captivity, making rehabilitation extremely difficult.