Roaring Ravens

Pangolin

The word “pangolin” is derived from the Malay word “penggulung”, which means roller. The name signifies the pangolin’s method of self-defence – when threatened, they roll themselves up into a ball.  The scales covering their bodies are often used to attack their predators and they can also release a stinky fluid from the base of their tails

The shy, harmless pangolin is becoming increasingly well known for one reason: It’s believed to be the world’s most trafficked non-human mammal. Tens of thousands of pangolins are poached every year, killed for their scales for use in traditional Chinese medicine and for their meat, a delicacy among some ultra-wealthy in China and Vietnam.                   

Species Of Pangolins :-

Eight species of pangolins are found on two continents. They range from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.

Four species live in Africa: Black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla), White-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), Giant Ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) and Temminck's Ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii).

The four species found in Asia: Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis), Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) and the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla).

All eight pangolin species are protected under national and international laws, and two are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

In June 2020, China increased protection for the native Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) to the highest level, which closed an important loophole for consumption of the species in-country. 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).

Characteristics and Behaviours Of Pangolins :-

Pangolins are solitary and active mostly at night. Most live on the ground, but some, like the black-bellied pangolin, also climb trees.

They range in size from a large housecat to more than four feet long. They are largely covered in scales made of keratin—the same material as human fingernails—which gives them the nickname "scaly anteater." When threatened, they roll into a ball, like an armadillo, and they can release a stinky fluid from a gland at the base of their tails as a defence mechanism.

They are easily recognized by their full armour of scales. A startled pangolin will cover its head with its front legs, exposing its scales to any potential predator. If touched or grabbed it will roll up completely into a ball, while the sharp scales on the tail can be used to lash out.

Like anteaters, pangolins have long snouts and even longer tongues, which they use to lap up ants and termites they excavate from mounds with their powerful front claws. They’re able to close their noses and ears to keep ants out when they’re eating.

Though they look and act a lot like anteaters and armadillos, pangolins are more closely related to bears, cats, and dogs.

           

Illegal Trade Of Pangolins

Pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same material that makes up fingernails, hair, and horn. Pangolin scales, like rhino horn, have no proven medicinal value, yet they are used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with ailments ranging from lactation difficulties to arthritis. The scales typically dried and ground up into powder, which may be turned into a pill.

For many years, the Asian species were the primary target of poachers and traffickers. But now that their numbers have been depleted, smugglers are increasingly turning to African pangolins. In two record-breaking seizures in the space of a week in April 2019, Singapore seized a 14.2-ton shipment and a 14-ton shipment of pangolin scales—from an estimated 72,000 pangolins—coming from Nigeria.

In June 2020, China increased protection for the native Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) to the highest level, which closed an important loophole for consumption of the species in-country. 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.

APPENDICES OF CITES

Pangolins are currently listed in Appendix 2 of CITES, which means that “they are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled”.  In our opinion, this is an incorrect classification. 

Listing all eight pangolin species under Appendix I of CITES would provide stronger protection, barring commercial trade in all pangolin species and placing “dual control” over remaining trade by requiring both importing and exporting countries to issue permits and bolster domestic protections for these imperilled species.

We already have evidence to show the severe impact of trafficking on Pangolin populations in Asia – poachers are now turning to Africa, as the Asian populations have already become severely depleted. The importance of Pangolins in preserving our ecosystem and the severe impact on us, should they become extinct, is also clear. Therefore, it is only correct to classify Pangolins as endangered and take specific steps and measures to control all activities that threaten their population.

The Pangolin is a great example of how we live in an interconnected and fragile environment – if we don’t take steps now to preserve these important mammals, we will have to pay the price of their extinction.