Anteater, tragic sweet

Pangolin or in English terms known as pangolin is a mammal from the order Pholidota. Pangolin is derived from the Malay word "roller". Pangolins in the world have eight species, and belongs to the genus Sweet, famili Manidae. Sweet consists of 4 species living in Asia, Phataginus consisting of 2 species living in Africa, and Smutsia which consists of 2 species also live in Africa. Pangolins found in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia, are the common pangolin / Sund pangolin (Manis javanica). These animals eat insects and especially ants and termites. Pangolins live in lowland tropical rain forests and are known asanteater (ant eaters).

Here are the types of pangolins in the world:

Pangolin body shape is elongated, with a tongue that can be extended up to a third of its body length to find ants in its nest. Generally, female pangolins are shorter than male pangolins. It has a tongue that can be extended up to a third of its body length in search of ants in its nest. Besides that, pangolins have 2 pairs of short legs, mouth, eye, hard ears and scales. His hair is modified into a kind of large scales arranged to form a layered shield as a means of personal protection. If disturbed, the pangolin will curl its body like a ball. It can also thicken its tail, so that the "scales" can injure the skin of the intruder.

Pangolins are nocturnal animals (activities at night). During the day, pangolins hide in their nest holes. These animals like to choose to nest in holes in the roots of large trees or make holes in the ground that are dug with their paws.. Sometimes these animals occupy holes where other animals live. The entrance to the nest hole is always closed to avoid predators (predator). These animals have a breeding season from April to June. Newborns weigh about half a kilogram, length approximately 45 cm. At birth the scales are still soft and will become hard in two days. Not long after birth, the chicks will immediately be able to walk which are then guarded by the parent 3 to 4 month. During this time the mother will often carry the young on her tail.

Illegal Trade in Pangolins and its Protection Status

In the development of human use of natural resources, Pangolins are a very lucrative commodity. Like a coconut tree, all parts of its body can be utilized and have high economic value in the black market. This has triggered high hunting and trade in these animals.  Hunting and trafficking of these animals causes their natural population to decline sharply. Hence if we are looking for predators (author) the main animal is actually not a snake but us, human. Currently Pangolins are categorized as Critically Endangered (critical) by IUCN. Meanwhile, the pangolin trade status is in CITES, since 2 January 2017 upgraded from Appendic II to Appendix I, which means that this animal is an endangered species if trade is not stopped and is prohibited in all forms of international trade. Because the population continues to decline, the government included it in the group of legally protected mammals. In this case it is contained in Appendix PP No. 7 Year 1999, and there are provisions in Law No. 5 Year 1990.

With the inclusion of these animals into the protected animal category, is expected to reduce the number of this animal trade. However, Until now, case after case has been revealed by the police, related to the ongoing hunting and trafficking of these animals. By doing a search on the internet for the keywords Pangolin trade, we will find that many cases of this animal trade are still ongoing. Not to mention the added cases of buying and selling that are not revealed.

Even in years 2016 then, Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) argued that Indonesia, which is rich in flora and fauna, loses around Rp. 9 trillion per year as a result of the illegal trade in protected animals, one of which is the pangolin trade.. Therefore, Law enforcement processes that are currently running really need to be assisted by all of us, the people of Indonesia. Protect our biological wealth, so that the balance of the environment is maintained and our children and grandchildren can see one of Indonesia's unique animals.

Be a part of SCENTS mission to save beautiful creatures from illegal wildlife trafficking.