Pangolins are hunted for their scales and meat. Many people believe that pangolin scales have medicinal properties, despite their being no scientific evidence to suggest this. The demand for these scales is so high, that pangolins are the most trafficked animal in the world. They are also heavily impacted by deforestation. As a result of these factors, every species of pangolin is threatened or endangered. In recent years, as more people are becoming aware of the situation that these animals are in, conservation efforts are being made to try to save them before it is too late. All species of pangolin are listed in CITES under Appendix I. This protects pangolins by prohibiting international trade. This hasn't done as much as people hoped it would, as many people are still selling pangolins illegally. This illegal trafficking is being combatted in different ways, such as by interrupting money flows. Over a hundred smuggling routes have been identified by wildlife conservation group TRAFFIC, and they aim to shut these routes down. Another tactic that is being used is to try to breed pangolins in captivity. Results have been mixed at best. Most of the pangolins have died of disease, or otherwise not lived for very long due to the fact that their typical diet can't be properly matched in captivity.
Pangolin scales that were confiscated from the black market
Pangolin scales are believed to be able to:
- Expel evil spirits
- Stimulate lactation in women
- Dissolve blood clots
- Promote blood circulation
- Prevent pneumonia
- Cure cancer
None of these claims are based on fact. Pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same material as human finger nails. As such, they do not have any real medicinal properties, and even if they did, that would be no excuse to hunt them to near extinction.
Below is a website that educates people about pangolins and promotes conservation efforts.