Pangolin Conservation and Illegal Wildlife Trade

Pangolins are the world's most trafficked mammals, with all eight species facing severe pressure from illegal trade for their scales and meat.

Key Facts

All eight pangolin species are listed on the IUCN Red List, ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered
An estimated 200,000 pangolins are poached annually, making them the most trafficked wild mammal globally
Pangolin scales are used in traditional medicine in China and Vietnam despite being composed of keratin identical to human fingernails
All international commercial trade in pangolins has been prohibited under CITES since 2016, but illegal trade continues at scale
Pangolins are shy, solitary, nocturnal animals that typically die within weeks of captivity due to stress and inability to feed
In-situ conservation, anti-poaching patrols, and demand reduction campaigns in consumer countries are the primary protection tools

Welfare Considerations

Pangolins experience profound suffering across the entire illegal trade chain, from stressful capture to prolonged confinement in horrific conditions during transport. Their extreme sensitivity to captive stress means that most trafficked individuals die before reaching their destination. Demand reduction in consumer markets is the highest-leverage intervention: reducing the economic incentive for poaching is more sustainable than enforcement alone.

What You Can Do

Never purchase products containing pangolin scales or other body parts
Support organizations including Save Pangolins and the African Pangolin Working Group
Advocate for strong anti-trafficking enforcement and demand reduction programs
Share accurate information about pangolin biology to counter myths about medicinal properties of their scales