Pangolins are the most illegally trafficked wild animal in the world. All eight species are considered vulnerable to extinction, with Chinese pangolins classified as critically endangered.
A pangolin's scales, which are supposed to give it protection, are actually putting it in danger. In many countries, pangolin scales are highly prized for use in traditional medicine, where people believe the scales have special healing properties. Much like rhino horns (also made of keratin), there is no scientific evidence for this. Pangolins are also hunted for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in some places.
A lot of people don't know about pangolins, and even those who study them know very little about them. As a result, it is difficult to enforce laws protecting pangolins: traffickers can easily claim that the scales come from fish or some other source, and sneak past law enforcement officials. That's why it is so important that organizations like Greenhood Nepal study pangolins, so that we can learn more about them and help stop this unique animal's decline.
