Pangolins, the elusive and enigmatic scaly mammals, are facing an existential crisis. These gentle creatures, found in Africa and Asia, play a vital role in their ecosystems. However, they are the most heavily trafficked mammal on Earth.
Recent studies estimate that pangolins are being poached at a rate of one every three minutes.1 Despite their harmless nature and critical role in controlling insect populations, pangolins are being poached to near extinction.
The Plight of the Pangolin
Pangolins are native to Africa and Asia, with eight species spread across the two continents. All eight species are now threatened with extinction, with the four Asian species classified as critically endangered or endangered. Over the past decade, an estimated 1 million pangolins have been taken from the wild for illegal trade.(ref)
Poachers target pangolins for their meat, considered a delicacy in some Asian countries, and their scales, which are used in traditional medicine.
When threatened, pangolins curl into a ball, like an armadillo, making them an easy target for poachers who simply pick them up and carry them away.
Characteristics & Behavior
Pangolins are solitary, nocturnal mammals that range in size from a large housecat to over four feet long. They are covered in scales made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails, giving them the nickname “scaly anteater.” Pangolins have long snouts and even longer tongues, which they use to lap up ants and termites.
A single adult pangolin can consume more than 70 million insects annually.
Pangolins dig deep burrows for sleeping and nesting, which can contain circular chambers big enough for a human to crawl inside and stand up. Some species also sleep in the hollows and forks of trees and logs.
When not foraging for insects, pangolins spend much of their time in these burrows, making them difficult to study in the wild.
Vital Ecosystem Gardeners
Beyond their unique physiology, pangolins perform crucial ecosystem services in their habitats. By excavating burrows, they turn over organic matter and aerate the soil, acting as “little gardeners.”
Abandoned pangolin burrows are often used by other animals, providing an additional benefit to the species with which they share wild places.
Pangolins also help regulate populations of ants and termites through their voracious appetites. A healthy population of pangolins can serve as potent pest controllers. Their insatiable hunger for insects gives them an important role in maintaining the delicate balance of their ecosystems.
Conservation Efforts & Challenges
In 2016, all eight pangolin species gained the highest levels of protection under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), prohibiting international commercial trade.(ref) However, much more work is needed to stop the poaching, trafficking, and demand.
Conservationists are working to improve knowledge of pangolin biology and behavior, train rangers to combat poaching, educate the public, and establish rescue and rehabilitation centers. Innovative techniques like genetic analysis of seized pangolin scales are helping map poaching hotspots to guide enforcement efforts.
Despite these efforts, the illegal pangolin trade continues, fueled by low prosecution rates and high international market demand. Between 2010 and 2015, China and the United States were the countries most commonly involved in international pangolin trafficking, with China being the main destination for large-scale shipments of scales and whole pangolins.
The Importance of Saving Pangolins
Pangolins play a vital ecological role as insect predators and soil engineers. Losing these unique animals would have ripple effects throughout their ecosystems. Moreover, the pangolin poaching crisis highlights the urgent need to combat wildlife trafficking and protect biodiversity worldwide.
By raising awareness and supporting conservation efforts, we can help ensure a future for these fascinating creatures and the many other species threatened by illegal wildlife trade.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.