Wildlife

Pangolin Conservation and Trafficking Crisis

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world, with all eight species facing extinction due to demand for their scales and meat.

Key Facts

Over one million pangolins were trafficked between 2000-2013 alone
Pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails
All eight species are listed on CITES Appendix I banning commercial trade
Pangolins have no teeth and use sticky tongues to eat ants and termites
A pangolin curling into a ball is its only defense — making capture easy

Welfare Considerations

Trafficked pangolins endure extreme suffering: captured with snares or dogs, transported in cramped conditions without food or water, and slaughtered while conscious. Those intercepted by authorities often arrive malnourished and terrified. Pangolins are notoriously difficult to rehabilitate and rarely survive in captivity. The welfare crisis is inseparable from the conservation crisis — protecting wild populations is the only sustainable path.

What You Can Do

Report suspected pangolin trafficking to wildlife crime hotlines
Avoid purchasing traditional medicine products that may contain pangolin scales
Support organizations like Save Pangolins and the African Pangolin Working Group
Advocate for stronger penalties for wildlife trafficking in your country