All Asian pangolins are classified as “Lower Risk: near threatened” in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species; and under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This means that they are a species that is not necessarily threatened with extinction, although they may become so if trade is not strictly regulated. In 2000, a complete ban on international pangolin trade was enforced.
Facts and Figures
Sadly, 12 years after the ban was implemented, pangolin poaching is still as rampant as ever. Pangolins now have the dubious honor of being one of the most commonly encountered animals in Asia’s illegal wildlife trade. While the zero trade quota has had the effect of limiting official statistics on the pangolin quantities traded, ‘off the record’ numbers are truly staggering.
De-scaled pangolins that were killed by poachers
Pangolin.org reports that in 2011 alone there were a minimum of 44 media-reported pangolin seizures internationally. This translates to a conservative estimate of approximately 8,000-12,000 pangolins confiscated. Such a high number of seizures is not good news as it only goes to show that the situation is probably far more serious. Many experts claim authorities are only capable of detecting a mere 1% to 10% of what goes on in the billion dollar illegal market circuit. WildAid has found evidence that the increasing number of seizures can be attributed to a sharp growth in the wildlife trade instead of the increased vigilance of government authorities.
There is a demand for pangolin meat in China
The current international trade in Pangolins is mainly used to meet the demand of China’s market, where Pangolins are valued for their meat, scales and internal organs. It has been estimated that between 100 000 to 135 000 pangolins are required just to satisfy the demand in China. If the pangolin trade continues to operate at such high numbers, it appears to be inevitable that these animals will soon be wiped off the face of the earth.