Page 79 - World of Animals - Issue #29

Eaten to extinction Conservation heroes

Meet the organisations fighting for pangolin survival
With the constant threat of poaching, the life of a pangolin is uncertain IUCN SSC Pangolin
Specialist Group
Undoubtedly, the main threat pangolins face particularly alarming because of their life history. Comprising a voluntary network of
is from hunting. Their shy nature and lack of Pangolins mate once a year, have a gestation 65 members, including biologists, zoologists
defence mechanisms have left them vulnerable period of 150 days, usually give birth to just one and geneticists, the IUCN Species Survival
to poachers and the pangolin trade in 2013 was pangopup, and it takes two years for the young Commission (SSC) Pangolin Specialist
estimated at £66-100 million ($98-148 million). to reach sexual maturity and leave their mothers. Group is increasing understanding of

Most are caught to fulfil the demand in China This slow growth and low reproductive rate pangolins through world-leading research
and southeast Asia, where pangolin meat is means poaching can have devastating effects and action. It is the advisory group to the
considered a delicacy and the Chinese pangolin and make recovery almost impossible. IUCN on pangolins and offers guidance to
is in danger of being ‘eaten to extinction’. The true extent of the trade is yet to be organisations around the world. Current
The meat is also believed to have medicinal determined and information is somewhat limited
properties and is used to treat a number of and inconsistent. This is partly due to the wide projects include: estimating levels of the
illegal pangolin trade, developing improved
ailments, including gastro-intestinal problems, geographical range of the pangolin, and a ecological monitoring methods, patrol-
cardiac complaints and back pain. The scales targeted effort to uncover the magnitude of the based monitoring at sites with a high
are ground up as a cure for skin diseases, burn problem is tricky to implement on such a large abundance of the species and reducing
wounds, and used as a cure for pneumonia, scale. Currently, estimates are only based on the demand for pangolin products in east
despite no proven pharmacological qualities. The few people caught trafficking the animals and Asian markets.

rate at which pangolins are being harvested is the decline in the number seen in the wild.
3 things you African Pangolin Working Group
The African Pangolin Working Group
should know (APWG) was established in 2011 by a
about pangolins group of people who shared a passion
for pangolins. The group is involved in
a number of ongoing projects, such as
Pangolins mark their territory mapping the distribution of pangolins in
with urine, faeces, and a noxious Africa, both in the past and the present,
chemical secretion, similar to a so it can closely monitor any unexpected
skunk’s spray. changes in range. It is also researching
the customs surrounding certain species
Some species live on
the ground, while others in South African tribal communities,
have prehensile tails, which and the threats and effects of parasites.
they use to climb and hang Aside from research, APWG is part
of rehabilitation programmes and law
from trees.
enforcement to try and combat the rapid
Pangolins curl up into a ball decline of African pangolin species.
because they do not have any
scales on their face, snout, or Save Vietnam’s Wildlife
underbelly, so they need to This nonprofit organisation is working on

protect these delicate areas. the front line to rescue, rehabilitate and

release pangolins confiscated from the
illegal wildlife trade back into the wild.
Working in partnership with Cuc Phuong
National Park, it is able to secure enough
suitable habitat for rescued pangolins
to roam free. The ultimate goal is to end
poaching and reach a state of harmony
between pangolins and local Vietnamese
residents. The organisation also works to
increase pangolin numbers by developing
global conservation breeding programmes.

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