All eight pangolin species are threatened by illegal wildlife trade for scales and meat; trafficking causes acute welfare suffering and threatens the survival of these unique insectivorous mammals.
Trafficked pangolins experience severe welfare harms from the moment of capture. Trapping causes acute injury. Transport in tight bags or containers — deprived of food and water for days — causes dehydration, hypoglycemia, and respiratory stress. Many die before reaching markets. Pangolins subjected to stress rapidly deteriorate in captivity — they are among the most difficult mammals to keep alive outside their natural habitat. The welfare case for ending pangolin trafficking is inseparable from the conservation case.