Pangolin: the unique mammal threatened by international wildlife trade

The pangolin is among the planet’s most unusual animals, yet this mammal’s survival is under threat from the expansion of the international wildlife trade.

What makes the pangolin a unique animal in the world?

The pangolin is the only known mammal whose body is covered in keratin scales, a feature that sets it apart from every other species.

Found chiefly across Asia and Africa, it relies on this natural armour to protect itself from predators, curling into a ball whenever it feels threatened.

How do pangolins live and what are their main characteristics?

Although their appearance may resemble that of reptiles, pangolins are mammals with nocturnal habits. Their diet consists mainly of ants and termites, which they catch using their long tongues.

There are eight recognised pangolin species, each facing different levels of threat. Some are tree-dwellers, whereas others spend much of their time digging burrows in the ground.

Why is the pangolin threatened with extinction?

Illegal wildlife trafficking is the pangolin’s leading threat and is regarded as one of the world’s largest crimes against fauna. Thousands of animals are captured every year.

The animal’s scales are illegally used in traditional medicine products, despite there being no scientific evidence of any benefits. Its meat is also viewed as a luxury item in certain regions.

How does the international pangolin trade operate?

The illicit pangolin trade generates substantial sums and involves international criminal networks. Animals are taken from the wild and transported in exceptionally cruel conditions.

The main factors sustaining this illegal market include:

• Selling scales through clandestine markets;
• Eating the meat as a status symbol in some cultures;
• Illegal trade in live animals for collectors and illicit buyers;
• Destruction of natural habitat driven by urban and agricultural expansion.

What measures are currently being taken to protect the pangolin?

Pangolins are covered by international agreements, including CITES rules that limit trade in threatened species.

Environmental organisations work to tackle trafficking, safeguard habitats and raise awareness in order to reduce illegal demand for the animal.

The pangolin’s future depends on conserving the species

Despite being one of the most trafficked mammals on the planet, the pangolin still receives little attention compared with other threatened animals.

Protecting this species relies on action against illegal trade, scientific research and conservation policies that secure its survival over the coming decades.