Post by Trade facilitator on Nov 25, 2022 21:09:36 GMT 1
Pangolin Scales Export: The Most Trafficked Mammals In The World – Is The Trade In Pangolins Illegal?
According to Wikipedia, Pangolins, sometimes known as scaly anteaters, are mammals of the order Pholidota. The one extant family, the Manidae, has three genera: Manis, Phataginus, and Smutsia. Manis comprises the four species found in Asia, while Phataginus and Smutsia include two species each, all found in sub-Saharan Africa.
Pangolins are uniquely covered in tough, overlapping scales. These mammals eat ants and termites using an extraordinarily long, sticky tongue, and are able to quickly roll themselves up into a tight ball when they feel threatened. Eight different pangolin species can be found across Asia and Africa. Poaching for illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss have made these incredible creatures one of the most threatened groups of mammals in the world.
Pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same material that makes up fingernails, hair, and horn. Pangolin scales, like rhino horn, have no proven medicinal value, yet they are used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with ailments ranging from lactation difficulties to arthritis.
Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world due to high demand for their scales and claws in traditional medicine.
Often thought of as reptiles, pangolins are actually mammals. They are covered in distinctive scales that ward off predators in the wild.
The world body (CITES) also recognizes Nigeria as the number one country in illegal pangolin trade and seizures, a crisis the Nigerian government has not been able to address despite strong protests from experts.
Where can you find Pangolins in Nigeria?
A foremost conservationist has listed the top states where pangolins can be found in Nigeria.
It is believed that all African Pangolins — the ground, giant, white-bellied, and black-bellied pangolins — are found in and live in different environments.
According to Stephen Aina of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Pangolins are more prevalent in the Middle-Belt and South-West because both regions have a higher concentration of termites — the primary food for Pangolins.
“We have confirmed a high number of Pangolin presence in Middle-Belt states like Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Niger and Taraba, where Nigeria’s largest national park Gashaka-Gumti is situated,” Mr Aina said.
“In the South-West, they are regularly cited in Omo Forest Reserve, Ogun State; Oluwa Forest Reserve, Ondo State; and Old Oyo Forest Reserve in Oyo State.”
Mr. Aina, who is the project head at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos, said the Pangolins are in those states because they can easily get access to termites.
“Pangolins cannot survive in swampy and water-logged areas, they only live in places where there are termite muds and ants,” he said.
Mr. Aina said a Pangolin can consume up to 70 million insects in a year, which would be difficult to find in urban areas. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has categorized Pangolins as endangered species.
Why is Pangolin traded illegally?
Pangolins -- two species of which are endangered and all of which are protected by International Treaty -- are trafficked by the thousands for their scales, which are boiled off their bodies for use in traditional medicine; for their meat, which is a high-end delicacy here and in China; and for their blood, which is a delicacy.
Why do people buy pangolin scales?
In Asia, pangolin meat is considered a delicacy, whilst their scales are used in traditional medicines, fetching huge sums on the black market.
Why is pangolin in high demand?
Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world due to high demand for their scales and claws in traditional medicine. Their meat is considered a delicacy in some Asian countries and consumed as bush meat in some African countries.
What is CITES and what is it doing to save Pangolins?
CITES (shorter name for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of International Trade.
It was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The convention was opened for signature in 1973 and CITES entered into force on 1st July 1975.
Its aim is to ensure that International Trade (import/export) in specimens of animals and plants included under CITES, does not threaten the survival of the species in the wild. This is achieved via a system of permits and certificates. CITES affords varying degrees of protection to more than 38,000 species.
Is trade in Pangolin scales illegal?
Yes. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which regulates the International Wildlife Trade, has placed restrictions on the pangolin market since 1975, and in 2016, it added all eight Pangolin species to its Appendix I, reserved for the strictest prohibitions on animals threatened with Extinction.
The animals are trafficked mainly for their scales, which are believed to treat a variety of health conditions in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and as a luxury food in Vietnam and China.
In Africa, pangolins are sold as a form of bush meat, for ritual or spiritual purposes, and used in traditional African medicine too. Many times the animal is trafficked just for clothing and fashion.
They are also listed on the IUCN Red List, all with decreasing populations and designations ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.
Is there any good news for Pangolins?
Yes! In 2016, a treaty of over 180 governments announced an agreement that would end all legal trade of Pangolins and further protect the species from extinction. However, illegal trade of the species continues. WWF, together with TRAFFIC, works to protect species from wildlife crime.
In June 2020, China increased protection for the native Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) to the highest level, which closed an important loophole for consumption of the species in-country. Additionally, the government will no longer allow the use of Pangolin scales in traditional medicine, a big win given that an estimated 195,000 Pangolins were trafficked in 2019 for their scales alone (Challender, et. al, 2020).
Our company is one of the best companies in Agro-Export Business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
Pangolins are uniquely covered in tough, overlapping scales. These mammals eat ants and termites using an extraordinarily long, sticky tongue, and are able to quickly roll themselves up into a tight ball when they feel threatened. Eight different pangolin species can be found across Asia and Africa. Poaching for illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss have made these incredible creatures one of the most threatened groups of mammals in the world.
Pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same material that makes up fingernails, hair, and horn. Pangolin scales, like rhino horn, have no proven medicinal value, yet they are used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with ailments ranging from lactation difficulties to arthritis.
Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world due to high demand for their scales and claws in traditional medicine.
Often thought of as reptiles, pangolins are actually mammals. They are covered in distinctive scales that ward off predators in the wild.
The world body (CITES) also recognizes Nigeria as the number one country in illegal pangolin trade and seizures, a crisis the Nigerian government has not been able to address despite strong protests from experts.
Where can you find Pangolins in Nigeria?
A foremost conservationist has listed the top states where pangolins can be found in Nigeria.
It is believed that all African Pangolins — the ground, giant, white-bellied, and black-bellied pangolins — are found in and live in different environments.
According to Stephen Aina of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Pangolins are more prevalent in the Middle-Belt and South-West because both regions have a higher concentration of termites — the primary food for Pangolins.
“We have confirmed a high number of Pangolin presence in Middle-Belt states like Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Niger and Taraba, where Nigeria’s largest national park Gashaka-Gumti is situated,” Mr Aina said.
“In the South-West, they are regularly cited in Omo Forest Reserve, Ogun State; Oluwa Forest Reserve, Ondo State; and Old Oyo Forest Reserve in Oyo State.”
Mr. Aina, who is the project head at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos, said the Pangolins are in those states because they can easily get access to termites.
“Pangolins cannot survive in swampy and water-logged areas, they only live in places where there are termite muds and ants,” he said.
Mr. Aina said a Pangolin can consume up to 70 million insects in a year, which would be difficult to find in urban areas. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has categorized Pangolins as endangered species.
Why is Pangolin traded illegally?
Pangolins -- two species of which are endangered and all of which are protected by International Treaty -- are trafficked by the thousands for their scales, which are boiled off their bodies for use in traditional medicine; for their meat, which is a high-end delicacy here and in China; and for their blood, which is a delicacy.
Why do people buy pangolin scales?
In Asia, pangolin meat is considered a delicacy, whilst their scales are used in traditional medicines, fetching huge sums on the black market.
Why is pangolin in high demand?
Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world due to high demand for their scales and claws in traditional medicine. Their meat is considered a delicacy in some Asian countries and consumed as bush meat in some African countries.
What is CITES and what is it doing to save Pangolins?
CITES (shorter name for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of International Trade.
It was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The convention was opened for signature in 1973 and CITES entered into force on 1st July 1975.
Its aim is to ensure that International Trade (import/export) in specimens of animals and plants included under CITES, does not threaten the survival of the species in the wild. This is achieved via a system of permits and certificates. CITES affords varying degrees of protection to more than 38,000 species.
Is trade in Pangolin scales illegal?
Yes. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which regulates the International Wildlife Trade, has placed restrictions on the pangolin market since 1975, and in 2016, it added all eight Pangolin species to its Appendix I, reserved for the strictest prohibitions on animals threatened with Extinction.
The animals are trafficked mainly for their scales, which are believed to treat a variety of health conditions in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and as a luxury food in Vietnam and China.
In Africa, pangolins are sold as a form of bush meat, for ritual or spiritual purposes, and used in traditional African medicine too. Many times the animal is trafficked just for clothing and fashion.
They are also listed on the IUCN Red List, all with decreasing populations and designations ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.
Is there any good news for Pangolins?
Yes! In 2016, a treaty of over 180 governments announced an agreement that would end all legal trade of Pangolins and further protect the species from extinction. However, illegal trade of the species continues. WWF, together with TRAFFIC, works to protect species from wildlife crime.
In June 2020, China increased protection for the native Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) to the highest level, which closed an important loophole for consumption of the species in-country. Additionally, the government will no longer allow the use of Pangolin scales in traditional medicine, a big win given that an estimated 195,000 Pangolins were trafficked in 2019 for their scales alone (Challender, et. al, 2020).
Our company is one of the best companies in Agro-Export Business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
