Wild Pangolin Trafficking and Welfare

Pangolins are the world most trafficked mammal, with both capture and trafficking causing severe individual suffering alongside catastrophic population impacts.

Key Facts

All eight pangolin species are listed as Vulnerable to Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List
An estimated 100,000 pangolins are trafficked annually for meat and scales
Pangolins roll into a ball as a defence, making them easy to collect once found
They are transported live in sacks and crates in crowded, stressful conditions for days
Pangolin scales are made of keratin and have no proven medicinal value despite demand in traditional medicine

Welfare Considerations

Captured pangolins experience severe stress from handling, confinement, and transport. Their defensive ball response is ineffective against human collectors. Animals transported long distances without food, water, or appropriate temperature experience prolonged suffering. Pangolins in captivity have extremely high mortality rates as they refuse to eat and decline rapidly. The combination of difficult captive management and high demand from illegal trade makes individual welfare outcomes uniformly poor.

What You Can Do

Never purchase pangolin products including scales or meat
Support organisations working on anti-pangolin trafficking enforcement
Donate to pangolin conservation and rescue programmes in Africa and Asia
Raise awareness about pangolin trafficking as one of the world most serious wildlife welfare crises
Support demand-reduction campaigns in consumer countries