Wild Pangolin Welfare: The World's Most Trafficked Mammal

Pangolins are the most trafficked wild mammals on Earth, with all eight species threatened by poaching for scales and meat. Trafficking causes immense individual suffering alongside extinction risk.

Key Facts

All eight pangolin species are classified as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List
An estimated one million pangolins were trafficked between 2000 and 2013; the trade continues at high levels
Pangolin scales are made of keratin — the same material as human fingernails — yet are in high demand in traditional medicine
Pangolins are solitary, nocturnal animals that roll into a ball when threatened, making them easy to collect
Captured pangolins are typically stored alive in poor conditions and may be transported for weeks before slaughter
Stress, dehydration, and injury during capture and transit cause significant suffering
Pangolins have extremely specialized diets (ants and termites) and rarely survive in captivity due to stress and dietary failure

Welfare Considerations

Pangolin trafficking causes acute and prolonged suffering. Captured animals are often stored at high densities in conditions entirely inconsistent with their behavioral and dietary needs. Their defensive curling behavior makes them easy to bag and transport but does not protect them from the chronic stress of confinement. Pangolins are exceptionally sensitive to stress; captive individuals frequently refuse food and die from a combination of starvation, dehydration, and immune collapse. The slaughter methods used in end markets are typically not designed for welfare. Wildlife confiscations intended to rescue pangolins often result in death during rehabilitation because their dietary and stress needs are so difficult to meet.

What You Can Do

Never purchase pangolin products including scales, meat, or traditional medicine preparations containing pangolin
Report suspected pangolin trafficking to wildlife crime hotlines or TRAFFIC
Support organizations fighting pangolin trafficking such as Save Pangolins and the Wildlife Conservation Society
Advocate for stronger wildlife trafficking laws and enforcement in consumer and transit countries
Support community anti-poaching programs in range countries that provide economic alternatives to wildlife harvesting
Donate to research into pangolin rehabilitation to improve survival rates of confiscated individuals
Raise awareness about pangolins — they are poorly known by the public despite being critically threatened