Pangolins are unique mammals, easily recognized by the tough, overlapping scales that cover their bodies from head to tail. These scales resemble human fingernails and can make up about 25% of their body weight. There are eight distinct pangolin species, found across various habitats in Asia and Africa, ranging from tropical forests to grasslands. These nocturnal, solitary creatures primarily consume ants and termites, using an exceptionally long, sticky tongue that can extend up to 28 inches.
Reasons for Consumption
Pangolin meat is consumed in certain regions due to traditional beliefs and its perceived status. In parts of Asia, it is considered a delicacy.
Pangolin meat and other body parts are also consumed for alleged medicinal purposes in traditional practices. Some believe pangolin meat can promote strong, healthy babies or treat various ailments. Pangolin scales are similarly believed to have medicinal properties, despite a lack of scientific evidence.
The Illegal Trade and Conservation Crisis
The demand for pangolin meat and scales has fueled a severe conservation crisis, making pangolins the most trafficked mammals globally. Over a million pangolins were illegally traded internationally between 2000 and 2014, and approximately 600,000 between 2016 and 2019. All eight pangolin species are now listed as threatened on The IUCN Red List, ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered. For example, the Chinese and Sunda pangolins are classified as Critically Endangered, while the Indian and Philippine pangolins are Endangered.
This illegal trade often involves international crime syndicates, with major trafficking routes connecting Africa to East and Southeast Asia, particularly China and Vietnam. Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are significant export hubs for pangolin scales trafficked from Africa. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) uplisted all eight pangolin species to Appendix I in 2016, prohibiting all international commercial trade and providing the highest level of protection. Despite these legal protections, illegal trafficking levels remain high, with at least 269 tonnes of pangolin scales confiscated globally between 2017 and July 2021.
Health Implications of Consumption
Consuming pangolin meat poses significant public health risks due to the potential for zoonotic disease transmission. Zoonotic diseases are infections that can spread from animals to humans, and wildlife consumption can facilitate this spillover of pathogens. Over 60% of all emerging infectious diseases worldwide are zoonoses, with more than 70% originating from wildlife.
Pangolins have been identified as a potential intermediate host for coronaviruses, including those genetically similar to SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. Studies have found a high genetic match between viruses in pangolins and those in human patients. Pangolins can also carry various parasites and other pathogens that could be transmitted to humans. The unregulated nature of the illegal wildlife trade means animals are often handled without proper health inspections, significantly increasing the risk of pathogen transmission to consumers.
Global Conservation Efforts
Various global and national initiatives are underway to combat the illegal pangolin trade and protect these animals. Increased law enforcement and anti-poaching efforts, including training rangers and wildlife authorities, aim to disrupt trade networks and deter illegal activities.
Demand reduction campaigns educate consumers about the health risks and ethical issues of pangolin consumption, working to change behavior and reduce the market. Community-based conservation programs engage local populations living near pangolin habitats, helping them recognize the long-term value of pangolins alive rather than poached. International collaboration among governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) further strengthens these efforts, facilitating information sharing and coordinated action against transnational wildlife crime.