News from the wild

Saving the Endangered Pangolin from Extinction

Published on: July 9, 2024
Categories:

The Crisis Facing Pangolins

Pangolins, unique creatures that look like a mix between an aardvark and an armadillo, are the most trafficked mammals in the world. They are illegally hunted for their scales, which are in high demand on the international market, particularly for traditional medicine. This illegal trade has brought pangolins to the edge of extinction.

Challenges in Disrupting the Trade

Stopping the illegal pangolin trade has been a significant challenge. These animals are found in 23 countries, covering a total area of 2.3 million square miles. Their scales are trafficked worldwide, with Nigeria emerging as a primary distribution hub. From Nigeria, scales are sent to markets in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Singapore. Identifying these trafficking routes provides new opportunities to combat the trade and improve anti-trafficking strategies.

Research shows that poaching activities have shifted from West Africa to Central Africa between 2012 and 2018. Initially, scales were mainly sourced from countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ghana. By 2018, Cameroon, especially its southern border areas, had become the main source. Other hotspots were identified near the borders of Nigeria and the Central African Republic.

 

The Global Impact

The illegal wildlife trade is a $20 billion industry run by sophisticated international cartels. In Africa, pangolin poachers can sell a single animal for $250, a significant sum in many regions. However, most profits go to trafficking organizations, which use the funds to support other illegal activities, including the weapons trade.

Pangolin scales are primarily used in traditional medicine, despite a lack of evidence supporting their effectiveness. A smaller portion of the trade supplies exotic meat markets.

Our Efforts

In Zimbabwe, our team recently intervened in a case of illegal pangolin trafficking, though, unfortunately, it was too late to save the animal. Wild at Life e.V. is tirelessly working to end the illegal wildlife trade and protect pangolins through projects in Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Recent developments give us hope. By equipping enforcement officers in high-risk countries with advanced tracking tools, we can enable near real-time monitoring of illegal trade and significantly disrupt it.

Spread the news!

Help us increasing social commitment in saving endangered wild species. Express your support by sharing this article in your favorite social media channel.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
WhatsApp
Email

You may also like...

Project update
April 27, 2025

A few years ago, together with our partner, the Association for the Protection of Fauna and Flora, we conducted a distressing investigation at a zoo in Burkina Faso. The 112-hectare site was home to numerous endangered species, many of them

News
April 9, 2025

This article reports on the successful repatriation of 34 African Grey Parrots that were illegally smuggled from Africa to Spain. The parrots were intercepted in Spain, and Turkish Cargo facilitated their transportation back to their natural habitats free of charge.

News
April 9, 2025

The article details the rescue and repatriation of 34 African Grey Parrots that were illegally trafficked from Africa to Spain. In collaboration with Turkish Cargo, which provided complimentary transportation, and various international organizations—including Wild at Life e.V., the Spanish Ministry

News
April 9, 2025

The article reports on the rescue and repatriation of 34 African Grey Parrots that were illegally trafficked from Africa to Spain. In collaboration with Turkish Cargo, which provided complimentary transportation, and various international organizations—including Wild at Life e.V., the Spanish

News
April 9, 2025

The article reports on the rescue and repatriation of 34 African Grey Parrots that were illegally trafficked from Africa to Spain. In collaboration with Turkish Cargo, which provided complimentary transportation, and various international organizations—including Wild at Life e.V., the Spanish

News
April 9, 2025

The Turkish news agency DHA reports on the successful repatriation of 34 African Grey parrots to their natural habitat, a major conservation effort carried out in cooperation with Turkish Cargo. The parrots, victims of illegal wildlife trafficking, were transported safely

Stay informed!

Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with our activities!

By subscribing you consent to our Privacy Policy

Search for more