Skip to content
Call Us: +256782105855 Email: info@gorillatrackings.com | sales@gorillatrackings.com
What Is A Pangolin A Guide To Africa’s Most Trafficked Endangered Animal

What is a Pangolin? A Guide to Africa’s most Trafficked Endangered Animal

What is a Pangolin? A Guide to Africa’s most Trafficked Endangered Animal.

It’s a pangolin. It is the only mammal that has scales all over it rather than fur. A pangolin in the wild is something that most people will never see. The majority of people are unaware that the pangolin species may become extinct before we even recognize it.

What is the number of species of pangolins?

This magical, scaled creature is found in only eight species. Four of them—the Indian, Formosan, Sunda, and Palawan pangolins—are found in Asia and are distinguished by the little bristles that separate their scales. The Temminck’s ground pangolin, tree pangolin, giant pangolin, and long-tailed pangolin are the four species of pangolins that can be found in Africa south of the Sahara. According to the IUCN Red List, all eight pangolin species are classified as endangered or vulnerable.

Where can one find pangolins?

Despite being common and present in national parks ranging from the Kruger to the Virunga in the Congo, The Big 5 are more likely to be spotted in South Africa than pangolins. The pangolin is indeed so uncommon that it is traditionally regarded as a royal animal. It is valued for its scales and supposedly succulent meat, fit only for kings, in addition to its scarcity.

Because it only produces one child, the Lele people of the Congo believe it to be a hybrid of a fish (the scales) and a human. It is a powerful spiritual entity because of its in-betweenness. Anthropologist Mary Douglas provided ample documentation of this phenomenon in her now-famous book Purity and Danger (1966), where Chapter 10 discusses the Pangolin Cult.

What is a Pangolin A Guide to Africa’s most Trafficked Endangered Animal
What is the name of the pangolin animal?

The Malay term “pengguling,” which roughly translates to “something rolled up,” is where the name pangolin originates. When threatened, pangolins, also called scaly ant-eaters, roll into a tight ball. Unfortunately, this also makes them easy prey for poachers, who merely need to pick them up and put them in a bag to continue trafficking.

Incredible facts about pangolins

The facts concerning pangolins are quite astounding. Their velvety, sticky tongues can be longer than their bodies, to begin with. They tunnel into anthills using their strong claws to reach termites, ants, and their favorite food. Up to 70 million insects are believed to be consumed by a single pangolin each year. There are a lot of ants there!

Ironically, pangolins “chew” with stones in their digestive tracts rather than teeth. Along with these adaptations, pangolins can also close their nostrils and ears during feeding to shield themselves from an enraged meal. Pangolins’ extremely specialized diet makes them difficult to keep in captivity, as they are prone to malnourishment, dehydration, and stress.

The issue of pangolin poaching

Although the hard scales provide excellent protection from the majority of natural predators, they are also a target for the global animal parts trade. In Asia, there is a common notion that the scales may treat a wide range of ailments. Furthermore, the meat of both adult and baby pangolins is regarded as a delicacy and is believed to have several health advantages.

In Asia, the demand for these animals has increased dramatically. The Asian population has been wiped off as a result of this. It is thought that attention has turned to the African continent as a result of this and the expanding trade between Asia and Africa. The rate of poaching by syndicates and individual poachers is at an all-time high.

The world’s most trafficked animal is the pangolin. However, how is this even possible? We should have known about it sooner. As flagship species, the rhino and elephant, for instance, have extensive documentation. They are recognizable and are thought to symbolize the entire conservation effort. These endangered animal species have been the subject of years of study and public awareness initiatives. We frequently see them in the media as a result.

In contrast, hardly much is known about the pangolin. Nobody even knows how long they live, and there are no detailed population or dispersion maps available. As a result, the trade in this solitary species has been occurring in a blind zone in the media. According to Lisa Hywood of the Tikki Hywood Trust, pangolins did not begin to get the public attention they so sorely require until 2014.

Conservation gains for pangolins

All eight pangolin species were promoted to Appendix 1 during the CITES convention in Johannesburg, South Africa, in October 2016. This implies that it is strictly forbidden to trade pangolins internationally. Furthermore, there are some incredible individuals who are dedicated to saving this unique animal species.

Established in 1994, the Tikki Hywood Trust has been advocating for endangered and lesser-known species for 22 years. They prioritize legislation, education, and conservation. According to Lisa Hywood, who established the trust in her father’s honor, raising awareness is essential to preserving species.

You can significantly impact both individual pangolins and the pangolin species as a whole by being informed on the animals we are attempting to save, the laws that protect them, and the individuals or organizations to get in touch with.