Pangolin | 21 Dec 2024
Nigerian authorities seized approximately 2.18 tonnes of pangolin scales, a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat pangolin trafficking.
- Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals, with high demand for their meat and scales in Asia and Africa, primarily for use in traditional medicine to treat ailments like rheumatism, arthritis, and skin conditions.
- Pangolins Species: There are eight species of pangolins, found across two continents:
- Africa: Black-bellied pangolin, White-bellied pangolin, Giant Ground pangolin and Temminck's Ground pangolin.
- Asia: Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), Philippine pangolin, and the Sunda pangolin.
- Characteristics: Pangolins are solitary, nocturnal animals with a distinctive armor of scales. Also known as scaly anteaters, they primarily feed on ants and termites.
- Conservation Status: The conservation status of these species ranges from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.
- Trade of pangolins is banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and they are listed in Appendix I of the IUCN Red List, indicating they are threatened with extinction.
- In India, the Indian (endangered on IUCN Red List) and Chinese pangolins are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, prohibiting exploitation.
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