Pangolins are critically threatened by illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss. Their welfare in trafficking, captivity, and rehabilitation requires specialized understanding.
Pangolin welfare in the trafficking chain is profoundly poor. Animals captured for the illegal trade are typically tightly bound or stuffed into bags, causing physical injury and extreme thermal stress. Transport may last days with no food, water, or space to move. The mortality rate during transport is high. Pangolins that reach rehabilitation centers face enormous challenges - their specialized dietary needs, sensitivity to stress, and immune system vulnerabilities make captive management extremely difficult even for specialist facilities. The welfare cost of each trafficked pangolin is severe whether the animal survives trafficking or not, making demand reduction the most impactful welfare intervention.