Mapping illegal pangolin poaching from Africa to Asia
- December 17, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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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.