The pangolin, a species of animal which can be found across much of sub-Saharan Africa, is an animal that few even know exist. Yet, their very existence is under threat as pangolins are the world’s most trafficked animal, catastrophically endangering their populations. Conservative estimates are that 10,000 are trafficked annually, literally by the ton.
What is a Pangolin?
Pangolins resemble something along the lines of an armored anteater, some alike them to pinecones. They are the world’s only mammal with scales.
There are eight different species of pangolins, four of which live in Africa, four in Asia. Three of the four African species, the Tree pangolin, Giant ground pangolin, and Long-tailed pangolin, can be found in Ghana.
Pangolin species can vary greatly in size, ranging from 30-150 cm in length, excluding tail, and 1.5-33 kg in weight. Pangolins primarily eat termites and ants, using their tongue, which can be even longer than their body. They can consume 70 million insects a year.
When threatened pangolins curl into a ball and remain stationary, using their scales to protect themselves. While this tactic even can work against predators such as lions, it sadly aids poachers in their capture, as all they need to do is pick them up.
Species of pangolin’s population conditions vary from vulnerable to critically endangered, yet achieving accurate statistics on these sneaky nocturnal animals is an extremely difficult task.
Why are they being trafficked?
There is considerable demand for pangolins in Asian countries, primarily China and Vietnam. Pangolin scales and blood are believed to have medicinal properties and are used in traditional Chinese medicines for ailments such as asthma, reproductive issues, and arthritis. They are sometimes used in traditional African medicines but to a much lesser extent. These scales are simply made of keratin, the same thing that makes up our hair and fingernails, however, their price can range from $600-$1000 per kilo.
While in Africa pangolins may be consumed as undesired bush meat, in parts of Asia they are viewed as a delicacy and a status symbol and a means to demonstrate wealth. The price of pangolin meat can range from $250-$350 per kilo. They are eaten a variety of ways, including stir fried, steamed, and grilled.
As Asian populations of pangolins have been suffering, African populations have been turned to. It can be a profitable trade, and as many are drawn by the quick profits, pangolin poaching across the continent has become a significant issue. In 2017, 400 kilo of scales were seized in Ghana, trying to be shipped to Malaysia labeled as oyster shells. Also in 2017, three tons of scales were seized in Côte d’Ivoire. There have also been seizures of pangolins in Cameroon and Uganda attempting to be shipped to Asia.
What is being done?
In 2016 a global ban was placed on the trade of all species of pangolin. Organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and USAID have active campaigns to raise awareness on the issue and countries’ natural resource organizations and police have begun to step up their involvement. The trafficking of pangolins still remains prevalent however, and increases in issue awareness and enforcement are still required.
