Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world — poachers kill as many as 2.7 million African pangolins every year. Although pangolins are a protected species in China, there is a thriving black market for pangolin meat and especially for scales, which account for 20 percent of body weight.
The new estimates of pangolins killed are likely to be minimum numbers as they included only three of Africa’s four pangolins, the giant, white-bellied and black-bellied species. The fourth, the cape pangolin, lives in southern and eastern Africa, outside the study area.
But given the demand for pangolin meat and scales, and the massive seizures of pangolin scales that occurred in 2019 and 2020, the population is believed to be in decline. —Are pangolins the most trafficked mammal in the world?
How many species of pangolins are there?
Found in Africa and Asia, the world’s eight pangolin species represent some 70 million years of unique evolution. In fact, these animals—which are the only mammals to sport proper scales—are so distinct they have their own Order: Pholidota.
Is this a record number of pangolins killed on Singapore’s roads?
It’s been a difficult sort of year for pangolins. A particularly large number of them have been killed on Singapore’s roads. It may even be a record. Since January, 10 of these cute scaly mammals have been run over. That number compares to an average of three to nine pangolin roadkills a year over the last five years — and it’s only July.
How many Pangolins are trafficked each year?
Additionally, the government will no longer allow the use of pangolin scales in traditional medicine, a big win given that an estimated 195,000 pangolins were trafficked in 2019 for their scales alone (Challender, et. al, 2020).
How do poachers kill pangolins?
Poachers simply pick pangolins up and drop them into a bag. Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world — poachers kill as many as 2.7 million African pangolins every year.