Wild Pangolin Trafficking and Welfare Crisis

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world, with all eight species threatened by a global illegal trade driven by demand for scales used in traditional medicine.

Key Facts

All eight pangolin species are listed on CITES Appendix I, prohibiting international commercial trade
An estimated 100,000 or more pangolins are trafficked annually despite international bans
Pangolin scales are composed of keratin - the same material as human fingernails - with no proven medical benefit
Pangolins are captured by hand or with nets, and often transported live causing stress and mortality
Pangolins cannot survive captivity for more than a few months due to specialized feeding requirements
African pangolins are increasingly replacing Asian species as Asian populations collapse
Save Pangolins and African Pangolin Working Group run the primary conservation programs

Welfare Considerations

The pangolin trafficking crisis causes multiple welfare harms: capture involves snaring or tree felling that can cause injury, transport in sacks with other pangolins causes overcrowding and stress, and animals intended for live sale face protracted suffering during transport across international borders. Pangolins cannot survive in captivity long enough to supply sustainable demand, meaning each captive pangolin represents a wild-caught individual suffering in an unsuitable environment. The wildlife crime enforcement community considers pangolin trafficking linked to other organized crime networks, requiring sophisticated interdiction approaches.

What You Can Do

Support Save Pangolins and African Wildlife Foundation pangolin conservation programs
Advocate for strengthened wildlife trafficking enforcement and penalties in range and consumer countries
Share information about pangolin conservation to build consumer awareness against traditional medicine demand
Report suspected pangolin products or trafficking to TRAFFIC wildlife crime reporting
Support demand reduction campaigns in Vietnam, China, and other consumer markets