Did you know the pangolin is the worlds most poached and trafficked animal?

Pangolins are the world’s most poached and trafficked animals. Every year, thousands of these shy and solitary creatures are snatched from the wild and sold into the illegal wildlife trade. 

Pangolins are hunted for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in some cultures, and for their scales, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine. A single pangolin can fetch up to $3,000 on the black market. 

Demand for pangolin products has surged in recent years, driving the animals towards extinction. All eight species of pangolin are now protected under international law, but this has done little to deter poachers and traffickers. 

In 2015, a record 20,000 pangolins were confiscated by law enforcement officials worldwide. But this is just a fraction of the animals that are actually being illegally traded. 

The true scale of the pangolin trade is difficult to quantify, as much of it takes place in the shadows. But it is clear that this illicit trade is having a devastating impact on pangolin populations. 

If we don’t take action to protect these fascinating creatures, they could be gone from the wild forever.