Pangolins continue to be hunted, one step towards extinction!

Common pangolin/Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) is a type of pangolin found in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia. These animals live in lowland tropical rain forests and are known as anteater (ant eaters). 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. 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.

Pangolins are categorized in status 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. The Indonesian government has also included it in the category of wild mammals protected by law according to Minister of Environment and Forestry No. P. 106 Years 2018.

The pandemic has not dampened the activities of hunters and their trade

Based on IUCN data Red List, Pangolin populations in their natural habitat continue to decline. This is caused by the very high hunting activity for these animals even during the pandemic. All parts of the pangolin's body that can be utilized and have high economic value on the black market are the main cause of poaching and their trade is still ongoing. Of course, government role, law enforcer, conservation institutions and other parties are very important in the preservation of this animal. Including SCENTS which is committed to helping preserve endangered wildlife by preventing crime.

Some time ago, Mitra SCENTS, NRCU (Natural Resources Crimes Unit) succeeded in assisting the Tapanuli Police and the North Sumatra Regional Police in the operation to arrest the perpetrators of the pangolin scale trade. In this time of pandemic, Pangolin scales are the main commodity to be traded both in national and international markets. Currently the police are carrying out further investigations into the origin of the pangolin scales.

China bans imports of wild meat, the hunt is still going on?

Pangolin meat before the pandemic was the main commodity for export, Currently, smuggling activity has decreased drastically. This is because the largest importing country for pangolin meat, namely China, has banned imports of wild animal meat and tightened port entrances. Nevertheless, The number of poaching of this animal in Indonesia is still high. Therefore, further investigation is needed regarding the new mode of pangolin meat smugglers, because the demand for and market for meat in China and Vietnam is still ongoing until now.

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