Pangolins are critically endangered.
All eight pangolin species are protected by national and international laws. Two of the eight species are considered Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This is largely because pangolins are the most trafficked animals in the world.
Why are Pangolins endangered?
The demand for pangolins to be trafficked comes from China and Vietnam where pangolin meat is considered a delicacy and their scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Wealthy men in these countries eat pangolins in soup because they believe it boosts their virility. Their scales, which are believed to have healing properties, are made of keratin which is what our hair and nails are made from. The medicinal uses of pangolin meat and scales are not scientifically founded.
The commercial trade of pangolins has been banned since 2016 however, according to wildlife experts, almost a million pangolins have been trafficked during the past decade. The enforcement of anti-tracking laws in Asia has led to a rise in pangolin trafficking in Africa.
The continued trafficking of pangolins not only means that the balance of the ecosystem is at risk, but also that the poaching of other animals will continue to thrive. The illegal networks established by pangolin poachers often grow to accommodate the ivory trade which endangers rhinos and elephants.
Pangolins are found in both Asia and Africa. Read about 4 places you can see Pangolins in the wild in Africa.
How can you support Pangolin Conservation?
There are many foundations doing incredible work to preserve the dwindling pangolin populations. Here are a few that could use your support.
South Africa
African Pangolin Working Group
“The African Pangolin Working Group will strive towards the conservation and protection of all four African pangolin species by generating knowledge, developing partnerships and creating public awareness and education initiatives.”
Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital NPC
“We are a dedicated wildlife ONLY veterinary hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. We not only serve as a primary treatment team for poached and injured pangolins, but we also assist other rehabilitation centres, vets and conservationists around Africa with pangolin knowledge.”
Namibia
“The AfriCat Pangolin Project aimed at studying all details of life for the ground pangolin in Namibia. The overall aim of this project is to understand the activity patterns, population dynamics, prey selectivity, and overall ecology of wild pangolin within ONR and to gather further information about their behaviour and survival strategies.”
Kenya
“The Pangolin Project is a non-profit organisation based in Kenya, dedicated to pangolin conservation research and protection. We are working to identify and conserve important pangolin populations in our region, raising awareness and using science to inform conservation strategy.”
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With pangolin populations decreasing rapidly and the trafficking business booming, awareness and research are our greatest weapons for conservation. The work of these foundations means that there may be a future for pangolins after all.
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Have you ever seen a pangolin? We sell them in our store – not real ones obviously!
Our Pangolin Stud Earrings by Kreet are a celebration of these charismatic, endangered creatures.
