The pangolin, a nocturnal mammal covered in protective keratin scales, faces an extraordinary threat to its survival. It is currently the most illegally trafficked mammal in the world, with over a million individuals estimated to have been poached in the decade leading up to 2014. This immense pressure has pushed all eight species toward extinction, fueled by relentless illegal wildlife trade and the destruction of their natural homes.
Understanding Pangolin Species and Status
There are eight recognized species of pangolins distributed across two continents, split evenly between Asia and Africa. The four Asian species include the Chinese, Sunda, Indian, and Philippine pangolins, while the African species are the Giant Ground, Temminck’s Ground, White-bellied, and Black-bellied pangolins. These animals vary in size and habitat, ranging from arboreal species living in trees to terrestrial types living on the ground.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies all eight pangolin species as threatened with extinction. The Asian species have been hit hardest, with the Chinese, Sunda, and Philippine pangolins all listed as Critically Endangered. The Indian pangolin is listed as Endangered. While the four African species were historically less threatened, they have all been assessed as either Vulnerable or Endangered due to increasing pressure.
The Driving Force Behind Poaching
The primary reason for the rapid decline of pangolin populations is the massive illegal wildlife trade driven by demand in East Asia, particularly China and Vietnam. Pangolins are trafficked for two main products: their meat, which is considered a luxury delicacy, and their scales, which are used in traditional medicine. The high prices commanded by these products create a powerful economic incentive for poachers and trafficking syndicates.
The demand for pangolin scales is rooted in the belief that they possess curative properties, despite a complete lack of scientific evidence supporting these claims. Traditional medicine practitioners use the scales, which are made of keratin, to treat a variety of ailments, including poor blood circulation, skin disorders, and insufficient lactation. This persistent, unfounded demand is the single largest driver of the global illegal trade.
As Asian pangolin populations have been decimated, trafficking syndicates have shifted their attention to African species to meet the continuing demand. This has led to a significant increase in the trafficking of African pangolin scales, mainly from West and Central Africa, supplying Asian markets. Poachers often use dogs to locate the nocturnal creatures. When threatened, pangolins curl into a tight, protective ball, a defense mechanism that ironically makes them easy targets for capture. The sheer volume of the trade is staggering, with seizures between 2016 and 2024 involving an estimated half a million pangolins across 75 countries.
Impact of Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
While poaching is the most immediate threat, the loss and fragmentation of the pangolins’ natural habitats present a major pressure on their survival. These animals rely on specific environments, such as forests, savannas, and grasslands, to forage for their diet of ants and termites. When these areas are destroyed or broken up, pangolins struggle to find food, breed, and maintain viable populations.
The conversion of forests into agricultural land, driven by expanding human populations, is a major factor in habitat destruction across Asia and Africa. Commercial activities like logging, mining, and the development of infrastructure such as roads further reduce the available space for pangolins. Road construction not only destroys habitat but also opens up previously remote areas, making them more accessible to poachers and increasing the risk of traffic deaths for the animals.
Habitat fragmentation isolates pangolin populations into smaller, disconnected patches, which increases their vulnerability. These isolated groups are less stable and more susceptible to local extinction events, making it difficult for them to recover from poaching losses.
Global Efforts to Protect Pangolins
In response to the escalating crisis, international bodies have taken coordinated action to safeguard the species. In 2016, all eight pangolin species were uplisted to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This listing provides the highest level of international protection by prohibiting all international commercial trade in wild-caught pangolins and their parts.
This trade ban is supported by increased law enforcement and anti-trafficking efforts aimed at disrupting the sophisticated supply chains. Governments and non-governmental organizations are working to strengthen domestic legislation and increase penalties for illegal wildlife trade. The focus is also on demand reduction campaigns in key consumer markets to change consumer behavior and challenge the unfounded medicinal beliefs surrounding pangolin scales.
Conservation efforts also include working with local communities and Indigenous peoples, who are often the first line of defense for the species. These grassroots initiatives aim to incentivize effective pangolin conservation and protect the remaining habitats. Despite the international ban, persistent illegal trade and inconsistent reporting from countries underscore the continued need for stronger enforcement and targeted national action plans.