Wild Pangolin Conservation: The World's Most Trafficked Mammal

Pangolins are the world's most trafficked wild mammal, with all eight species threatened by demand for their scales and meat, making them an urgent conservation and welfare priority.

Key Facts

An estimated 100,000-200,000 pangolins are poached annually from African and Asian populations
All eight pangolin species are protected under CITES Appendix I, banning commercial trade
Pangolin scales are made of keratin - the same protein as human fingernails - yet command high prices in traditional medicine
Pangolins are shy, nocturnal insectivores that consume 70 million insects annually
When threatened, they roll into an impenetrable ball - a defense that makes collection by poachers trivially easy
African pangolins are increasingly targeted as Asian populations have collapsed from overhunting
Pangolins do not survive well in captivity, making rehabilitation and release the only viable rescue pathway
Save Pangolins, WCS, and African Pangolin Working Group coordinate international conservation efforts
Demand reduction campaigns in China and Vietnam are essential to addressing the root cause of trafficking

Welfare Considerations

Pangolins experience severe welfare harm through the trafficking process: sacks of live pangolins are transported in extremely cramped conditions for days without food or water. Animals that survive poaching and transport arrive at destination markets severely stressed, dehydrated, and injured. The mortality rate in the trafficking chain is enormous. Rescued pangolins require specialized care that few facilities can provide, and survival rates in rehabilitation are modest. Prevention through demand reduction and law enforcement is far more effective welfare intervention than rescue alone.

What You Can Do

Support Save Pangolins and WCS pangolin protection programs financially and through awareness raising
Refuse traditional medicine products containing pangolin scales - synthetic keratin alternatives exist
Advocate for increased penalties for pangolin trafficking in range and consumer countries
Share pangolin conservation information - most people are unaware of the scale of the crisis
Support community ranger programs in Central and West Africa protecting remaining pangolin populations
Learn to identify pangolin products to avoid them and report suspected trafficking