Mapping illegal pangolin poaching from Africa to Asia

Mapping illegal pangolin poaching from Africa to Asia

Subject :Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

• Based on genomic analyses, researchers reveal illegal pangolin trafficking routes from origins in Africa to markets in Asia.
• The approach offers new opportunities to monitor pangolin poaching in near real­time, allowing for targeted and more effective anti­-trafficking measures.

About Pangolins:

• Pangolins are nocturnal mammals that dig burrows and feed on ants and termites, and play a vital role in ecosystem management, mostly in aerating and adding moisture to the soil.
• Pangolins are known for their unique appearance. They have scales made of keratin that cover their entire body.
• When threatened, they can roll into a ball to protect themselves.
• Pangolin Species: There are eight species of pangolin:
• 4 Species in Africa: Black-bellied pangolin, White-bellied pangolin, Giant Ground pangolin and Temminck’s Ground pangolin.
• 4 Species in Asia: Indian pangolin, Philippine pangolin, Sunda pangolin and the Chinese pangolin.

Habitat:

• It is adaptable to a wide range of habitats including primary and secondary tropical forests, limestone and bamboo forests, grasslands and agricultural fields.
• The Indian Pangolin is found across the Indian subcontinent; Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam also have the presence of Chinese pangolin.

Threats:

• Once known to be found in large numbers, its population is rapidly declining in its range due to habitat loss and rampant poaching for its skin, scales, and meat.
• Pangolins are among the most trafficked wild mammals, globally, traded mostly in Asia, where their scales are considered to be medicinal and their meat a delicacy.

Protection Status:

• In the red list of animals published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Indian Pangolin is listed in the Endangered (EN) category.
• The Chinese pangolin has been listed as “critically endangered”.
• In India, pangolins, both Indian and Chinese, are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 that prohibits its hunting, trade or any other form of utilisation.
• All pangolin species are listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix I.