They range from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered. The pangolin is an endangered species under the US endangered species act, and like many endangered species it is endangered because of trafficking by humans. The pangolin is the most trafficked animal on the planet.
Why are the pangolins endangered?
The pangolin is an endangered species under the US endangered species act, and like many endangered species it is endangered because of trafficking by humans. The pangolin is the most trafficked animal on the planet.
The increasingly lucrative trade is driving poachers to capitalise by snaring the creatures in forests and sometimes feeding them gravel to increase their weight and value. African pangolin species are also threatened by intensive hunting but their habitat is also under threat from the use of pesticides and electric fences.
The pangolins are sadly being pushed towards extinction by their regular poaching which has gone unnoticed in the world. They are constantly being sold illegally for profit, and their slaughtering continues without anyone batting an eye on it. If this carries on, they may soon be wiped off the planet. Types of Pangolin Species – Where do they live?
How many Pangolins are protected?
All eight pangolin species are protected under national and international laws, and two are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
What is the impact of the eradication of pangolin species?
When animals who have been around for thirty-five million years are eradicated over 50 years, there is not going to be another species moving in swiftly to take its place . Accordingly, we do not know the impact. We do know of a couple significant services on top of insect control, the pangolins provide for our biosphere. They aerate the soil.
What is the biggest problem facing the pangolin population today?
A major issue facing the pangolin population is poaching . Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in many parts of Asia, and they are being trafficked in Africa now more than ever. Pangolin scales have long been used in traditional Asian medicine, and the meat is considered a delicacy in Vietnam, China and numerous other countries.
The major threat which faces the Chinese Pangolin is poaching . All pangolin species combined make the species the most illegally trafficked animal in the world today with an estimate 300 taken from the wild every single day.