Pangolins are the world's most heavily trafficked wild mammals, driven to the edge of extinction by demand for their scales and meat. Their welfare in trade and captivity represents an urgent crisis.
Pangolin welfare is compromised at every stage of the trade chain. Capture involves severe stress from the unfamiliar human contact these solitary, nocturnal animals experience. Transport is typically in cramped, dark containers with no food or water for days. Even well-intentioned rescue operations often fail because pangolins are so specialised in their diet and behaviour that captive care is extremely challenging. The most effective welfare intervention is preventing capture in the first place through demand reduction and enforcement.