🔎 What’s going on?
This week, after much pressure from conservationists and NGOs over the years, China protects endangered Pangolins by removing Pangolin scales from official traditional Chinese medicine list. This is a massive conservation win! 👏
🐾 What does this mean?
China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Fund (CBCGD) were behind this extraordinary announcement this week. This now means that all eight species of this armadillo-like animal have been upgraded from “national second-level protected animal” to “national-level one protected species”.
This now means that under Chinese Law, anyone caught hunting or dealing with the illegal trade of Pangolins could face up to 5 years in prison and be fined.
❓ Why should I care?
Pangolins are the only scaled mammal in the world - usually, only reptiles have scales. They feed on termites and ants and often known as the “guardians of the forest”.
Upgrading the Pangolins to a protected species helps to curb illegal trade. In Asia, Pangolins are one of the most trafficked animals in the world. They are trafficked for their meat (considered a delicacy in China) and scales (used in traditional Chinese medicine).
Over the last 10 years, an estimated 1 million Pangolins were trafficked and in 2019, an estimated 195,000 Pangolins were trafficked. But the actual numbers are much higher due to the lack of reputed data.
In 2016, all countries agreed to protect Pangolins under international laws by ending any legal trade. This was done at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) - a global agreement between countries on international trade of threatened species.
🚦 Where do we need to be?
Despite this new protection, ‘captive breeding’ and medicinal research are still a threat to Pangolins and needs to be carefully monitored.
Pangolin skin has been used in making leather products such as boots, bags and belts that are sold in Vietnam, China and the US. This practice needs to be completely abolished and this power rests with businesses and consumers.
👤 What can I do about it?
Always check the source of any leather products you buy.
Support wildlife NGOs such as WWF and WildAid who have been leading the phenomenal international campaign on poaching Pangolins and other wild animals.
Educate yourself by learning more about these beautiful creatures here.
Image Credit: WWF