Pangolin Welfare and Conservation: The World's Most Trafficked Mammal

All eight pangolin species are protected under CITES but remain the most trafficked wild mammals globally. Poaching, habitat loss, and the illegal wildlife trade place pangolins at critical risk of extinction.

Key Facts

An estimated 1 million pangolins were trafficked globally in the decade from 2007-2016.
All eight species of pangolin are listed on CITES Appendix I, providing the highest level of international trade protection.
Pangolin scales are keratin — the same material as human fingernails — yet command high prices in traditional medicine markets.
Pangolins have extremely poor survival records in captivity due to specialized dietary and behavioral needs.
COVID-19 research implicated pangolins as possible intermediate hosts, increasing scientific interest in their conservation.

Welfare Considerations

Pangolins captured for the illegal wildlife trade experience severe welfare harm: confinement in cramped conditions, transport stress, dehydration, and starvation during long journeys. Animals rescued from trafficking are frequently in critical condition and die despite rehabilitation attempts due to their fragile captive survival rate. Pangolins in the wild face habitat destruction and active hunting pressure. The welfare case for pangolin conservation is strong: these animals suffer acutely during trafficking operations and are poorly equipped for captivity, making wild population protection the only viable path.

What You Can Do

Never purchase pangolin products including scales, meat, or traditional medicines containing pangolin.
Support anti-poaching programs from organizations like Pangolin.Africa and Save Pangolins.
Donate to habitat protection programs in pangolin range countries across Africa and Asia.
Report suspected pangolin trafficking to TRAFFIC or Wildlife Justice Commission.
Raise awareness about pangolin conservation — many people are unaware of pangolins' status.