Pangolin Trafficking and Welfare

Pangolins are the most trafficked wild mammals in the world, facing extinction from demand for their scales and meat.

Key Facts

All eight pangolin species are protected under CITES with the highest level of protection
An estimated one million pangolins were trafficked between 2000 and 2013
Pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same protein as human fingernails
They are highly stressed by capture and rarely survive in captivity
Pangolins are critical for ecosystem health, consuming up to 70 million insects per year

Welfare Considerations

Pangolin trafficking causes immense suffering at every stage. Captured in the wild, pangolins are tightly bound and stacked in bags, causing stress, injury, and death before they reach markets. Transportation across borders takes days with no food or water. Pangolins in markets suffer from starvation, dehydration, and psychological trauma. Captive survival rates are very low. Each trafficked pangolin represents individual suffering on top of population-level conservation crisis.

What You Can Do

Never purchase pangolin products, including those marketed as traditional medicine
Report suspected trafficking to TRAFFIC or local wildlife authorities
Support Save Pangolins and other pangolin-specific conservation groups
Advocate for stronger enforcement of CITES protections
Educate others about the lack of medicinal evidence for pangolin scale products