Pangolin Trafficking and Individual Suffering

Pangolins are the worlds most trafficked wild mammal. The suffering caused to individual pangolins during capture, transport, and slaughter is extreme.

Key Facts

Over one million pangolins are estimated to have been trafficked in the past decade
All eight pangolin species are protected under CITES appendices
Pangolins curl into balls when threatened, making them easy to poach
They are consumed as luxury food and used in traditional medicine
Pangolin survival rates in captivity are very low due to specialized dietary needs

Welfare Considerations

Trafficked pangolins experience severe suffering across every stage of the illegal trade. Capture involves handling and restraint of highly stressed animals. Transport conditions cause dehydration, suffocation, and starvation over periods of days. Animals that survive transport are kept in overcrowded conditions before slaughter. Attempts to keep confiscated pangolins in captivity often fail due to their specialized diet of specific ant and termite species, meaning confiscation does not guarantee survival.

What You Can Do

Report suspected pangolin trafficking to wildlife crime authorities
Refuse to consume pangolin meat or products made from pangolin scales
Support organizations working on pangolin conservation in Africa and Asia
Donate to Wildlife Justice Commission and similar anti-trafficking organizations
Advocate for stronger penalties for wildlife trafficking in your jurisdiction