Pangolins
Pangolins have the reputation of being one of the most illegally trafficked animals in the world.
What are Pangolins?
Pangolins look like scaly anteaters or armadillos. There are eight species of Pangolin, four in Africa and four in Asia. They are solitary mammals, meaning they live on their own. Pangolins live in a range of habitats from forests to grasslands to savannahs. They are carnivorous animals consuming a wide variety of ant and termite species, but they can also eat larvae and other small insects. Pangolins are closely related to cats, dogs and bears, not armadillos and anteaters as you would think.
Why are pangolins being poached?
Pangolins are poached for their scales and meat. Pangolins meat is considered a delicacy in some countries. Their scales are used in a traditional Asian medicine, mainly in China and Vietnam. People believe that their scales have curative powers, however, Pangolin scales are made of Keratin, the same material that human fingernails and hair is made of. Keratin has no medicinal value. Pangolin scales can also be used as decorations for rituals and jewelry.
Pangolins are critically endangered mammals and hundreds are being killed every day. Scientists have proven that we can live without things we don’t need and we definitely do not need to kill innocent animals for jewelry or decorations.
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