Wildlife

Pangolin Poaching and Welfare

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world, poached for their scales and meat despite legal protections.

Key Facts

All eight pangolin species are threatened or endangered
Pangolins are taken from the wild by the million annually
They curl into a ball when threatened — making them easy to capture and transport
Pangolin scales are keratin — the same as human fingernails — with no proven medicinal value

Welfare Considerations

Captured pangolins endure extreme stress during transport, often crammed into bags and crates without food or water. Their defensive curling response, evolved for predators, makes them passive victims of human capture. High mortality rates in captivity mean most trafficked pangolins die before reaching end consumers. Demand reduction in consuming markets is the primary solution.

What You Can Do

Support organizations working on pangolin demand reduction in Asia
Never purchase any product containing pangolin scales or meat
Advocate for CITES Appendix I protections to be vigorously enforced
Support anti-poaching patrols in pangolin range countries