Wildlife

Pangolin Welfare: Trafficking Stress and Captivity

Pangolins are the world's most trafficked mammals, enduring extreme stress during capture, transport and captivity before many perish.

Key Facts

Over one million pangolins trafficked in the past decade
All eight species are listed under CITES Appendix I
Pangolins are highly stress-sensitive and rarely survive captivity
Mortality during transport reaches 90% in some trafficking routes

Welfare Considerations

Pangolins suffer intensely throughout the trafficking chain: stress from capture, confinement in sacks or crates without food or water, extreme temperatures, and ultimately slaughter or death from stress. Their solitary, insectivorous, nocturnal lifestyle makes captive husbandry extremely difficult, meaning few rescued individuals survive rehabilitation.

What You Can Do

Support TRAFFIC and WCS anti-trafficking programmes
Choose products not containing wildlife derivatives
Report suspected illegal wildlife trade to authorities
Donate to pangolin rescue and rehabilitation centres