Pangolins are the world's most trafficked mammal. Their unique biology makes them extremely vulnerable to the stress of capture and confinement, causing extremely high mortality in trafficking and captivity.
Pangolin trafficking inflicts acute suffering at every stage. Capture involves handling a highly stressed animal that cannot flee effectively. Transport in sacks or crates is profoundly stressful. Captivity causes rapid deterioration — pangolins refuse to eat, suffer from pneumonia, and die. The mortality rate from capture to end consumer is extremely high, meaning far more animals suffer and die than reach their intended destination. Rescue of trafficked pangolins requires intensive specialist care, and even then survival is not guaranteed. Demand reduction in consuming countries — primarily China and Vietnam — is the most effective lever for reducing this suffering.