pangolins in the spotlight

"As a scientist, one of the hardest things I have found working with pangolins and advocating for their conservation is how few people know of their existence and their plight. I started Pangolin Plush to highlight the intersectionality and codependence of cultural diversity and biological diversity - and, raise awareness for pangolins.”

-Adam Moreno

Why Are PANGOLINS Important?

There are eight species of pangolins, four in Africa and four in Asia. Each is biologically, culturally and ecologically important.

Pangolins are anatomical anomalies, with tongues nearly the length of their entire body, long claws for digging, and sharp scales made from keratin (the same material as your hair and fingernails) covering most of their skin.

Their scales protect them from predators. When a pangolin feels threatened it curls into a tight ball, protecting its head and scale-less undersides.

These enigmatic creatures are the subject of many myths, legends, and folklore. They also provide vital ecosystem services by regulating ant and termite populations as well as excavating den sites used by other animals. 

When we preserve pangolin habitats, we not only preserve pangolins, we preserve that habitat for all resident species..

Pangolins have been in the media spotlight since early 2020 because of a Nature magazine article and several others that identified the consumption of pangolin meat - which is illegal to buy or sell -as the source of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.

Wet markets and bush-meat markets found in many countries are known hotspots for dangerous emerging diseases because they bring people together with many different species of wild and domestic animals.

what are the challenges facing PANGOLINS?

One of the greatest challenges facing pangolins is general lack of awareness about their very existence.

All eight species of pangolin are endangered because of illegal trade. They are the most trafficked mammal in the world, poached for their scales and meat.

Use of pangolin products varies by country. In some places, people believe the scales make a them bulletproof. In others they are used in traditional medicine. The meat for some is sustenance; for others it is served to flaunt wealth and status. 

The high demand for pangolin products that is driving all eight species to extinction is a cultural problem. And so is the solution.

what can we do to help?

study PANGOLINS

Learn about pangolins and share what you learn, including how to pronounce their name (PANG-o-LIN) and where it comes from.

Save Pangolins is an organization founded by Paul Thomson dedicated to raising public awareness of pangolins around the world. Click here to view a documentary made by Save Pangolins discussing the story of the pangolin.

Share these facts with your friends:

There is no proof that pangolin scales have healing properties, a claim used in marketing sales; no scientific studies have shown that keratin (the main structural component of hair, pangolin scales, and rhino horn) provides any benefit to humans.

The cultural belief that carrying a pangolin scale in your pocket makes you bulletproof is contributing to the extinction of these animals.

People living in local and indigenous communities are essential to protecting wildlife and combating the illegal wildlife trade. Poaching syndicates take advantage of these communities, further endangering and impoverishing them.

Protect PANGOLINS

Refuse to participate in ceremonies, parties, and other meals that involve or serve the meats or products of pangolins or other illegally trafficked animal. 

Support measures to protect pangolins, which include conservation, research, rehabilitation and release.

AFRICAN PANGOLINS

The African Pangolin Working Group (APWG) is a non-profit based in South Africa dedicated to the conservation of all four of Africa's pangolin species. To learn more about this organization, click here.

To read a transcript of my June 2020 interview with Nicci Wright, the executive director of the APWG, see this [link}; to reach a transcript of my interview with Alexis Kriel, also from the APWG, see this [link.]

The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital (JWVH) is a non-profit based in South Africa started by Nicci Wright and Dr. Karin Lourens; they treat and rehabilitate indigenous wildlife including the Temminck's ground pangolin confiscated from the illegal trade. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to read some of their success stories. 

The Sangha Pangolin Project is a conservation effort based in the Central African Republic that combines rehabilitation, research, and the engagement and participation of local indigenous peoples to protect the White-Bellied and Black-Bellied pangolins that live in CAR. 

ASIAN PANGOLINS

Save Vietnam’s Wildlife is a wildlife education center and veterinary hospital in Cuc Phuong, Vietnam that specializes in pangolin rescue, rehabilitation, and release, along with community based education and awareness campaigns. This hospital treats more pangolins than any other wildlife center in the world. Click their website, Facebook page, or Instagram to learn about rescue work for the critically endangered Sunda and Chinese pangolins. 

To learn more about conservation education efforts for the Indian Pangolin, visit Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra (SNM). 

To learn about the trafficking syndicates in Asia and investigative journalism efforts, click here. 

Celebrate PANGOLINS

Teach your children about pangolins! There are an increasing number of children’s books featuring pangolins. Pangy the Pangolin being just one example. 

Support our Pangolin Plush project. See also @pangolinplush on Instagram [link]

Look for artwork and other ways to celebrate these amazing animals.

Q & A with Adam Moreno and Elif Ilkel for Creature Conserve Pangolin Week