The international utilization of Pangolins and its status

Introduction

            Pangolins are the only mammals whose bodies are covered with scales which they use for protection against its predators by curling into a tight ball. There are eight species of pangolins, and they are the most trafficked animal because their scales are used in traditional medicine for ailments, such as lactation difficulties and arthritis. Its meat is also considered a delicacy (Walsh 2020). Despite the international law that protects pangolins, illegal trading of pangolins is still growing, and that is why it is important to investigate this issue before they become extinct. Wildlife trading harms the environment, humans, and wildlife population (Aisher 2016).  For a healthy ecosystem to exist, a balanced food chain should exist too, and if a certain animal population is extinct, then the whole system is affected. For example, if pangolins become extinct, it means the number of pests will grow at an uncontrollable rate, and they will eventually destroy the forests, and all plants. The animals above the food chain will be reduced (Bensel & Carbone 2020). The paper addresses the social, economic, and biophysical dimensions of pangolins trafficking.

Social dimensions (Pangolins trade)-

            The US is the most connected country in the Pangolins trading network, followed by China, Japan, Italy, and Singapore. From statistics, the US has the highest number of pangolin’s products imports with a percentage of 78 (Heinrich et al. 2016). Due to the illegal trade flooding, At CITES CoP17 (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), all eight species of pangolin were transferred from Appendix II to I in 2016, which establishes an international ban on trading pangolins (Challender et al. 2020). The number of Pangolins in Asia has declined, and now traffickers have started trafficking African Pangolins (Sepherd et al. 2017).  During shipment of pangolins to other countries, the traffickers back them with frozen fish because the trade is illegal (Sutter 2014).

Social dimensions (Cultural significance and use)-

According to the research, 13 body parts of pangolins are used in traditional medicine in Africa and Asia (Boakye et al. 2015). Pangolin scales and bones are the most commonly used parts for treatments of illness such as rheumatism, and convulsions in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and for spiritual protection. The scales are roasted, then dried, and sold for healing purposes (Boakye et al. 2015).  However, there is no scientific evidence that the use of pangolin scales in treatments is effective (Hua et al. 2015). Moreover, In Southeast Asia, some people use the pangolin fetus as an unproven aphrodisiac. The uses of the pangolins scale not only limited to traditional medicine but also as the material of bags, boots, and musical instruments (Hua et al. 2015).

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Social dimensions (Political aspects)-

Political instability creates an unstable environment for pangolins to survive. For example, in South Sudan in Africa, intense conflicts in 2013 inhibit law enforcement from monitoring illegal pangolin trade (Ingram et al. 2019). There is no prosecution of offenders. With political stability, people can be held accountable for their actions. Insufficient political pressure on addressing the illicit international trade of pangolin makes it more challenging. International and national legislation protect the pangolins, but despite their prohibitions, illegal poaching still flourishes (Ingram et al. 2019). According to an interview from CNN journalists in Southeast Asia, most of the laws and bans won’t stop the illegal wildlife trade; it just makes the market price more expensive that is why more emphasis on addressing the issue should be put in place (Sutter 2014).  

Economic dimensions-

The market for wildlife products is potentially big. It was hypothesized that the market value of wildlife is between US$5 billion and US$20 billion per year (Wyler and Sheikh, 2008). The high demand and value of Pangolins motivate people to join the hunter and trafficker illegally. On average, each hunter in India captured one pangolin per year and received an average of 9,000 INR (135USD), which equates to four months of their average income. (D’Cruze et al. 2018). According to a survey conducted by CNN in 2014, an average hunter can make a profit of USD 22.5 from a kilogram of pangolin (Sutter 2014). Pangolin’s meat is prized as a delicacy in many parts of Vietnam, China, and Africa. The nutritional value of the meat in China is believed to be aiding kidney function (Walsh 2020). In Vietnam, restaurants, for instance, the meat costs more than $150 per pound. In Ho Chi Minh City, Pangolin meat is considered the most expensive meat among the exotic wildlife, which even requires a few hour notices and a deposit. In Nigeria, the pangolin is considered the second expensive bush meat (Aisher 2016).

Biophysical dimensions-

            Biophysical dimensions are the biotic and abiotic surrounding of pangolin. Pangolins are dependent forests near to water sources, and they feed on pests. Its predators are large cat species (Harrop 2020). Pangolins help in protecting the ecosystem by eating pests that would have rather destroyed the forest.  An adult pangolin eats up to 70 million insects per year, which will, in turn, lead to control insect’s prey population hence leading to a balanced ecosystem. Since they also dig burrows, they help in improving soil quality by churning the soil and helps in decomposition (Harrop 2020).

Conclusion-

From the above discussion, environmental issues are due to biophysical, social, and economic dimensions. Pangolins help in protecting the ecosystem by eating the pest, which can destroy the forests and helps in improving the soil quality while digging the burrows. Its predators are lions, cheetahs, and human beings. Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world for meat and medicinal values. Some communities in Asia and Africa believes that the scales from pangolin can treat ailments such as cancer, arthritis, and lactating difficulties and some cultural beliefs such as sigh of good luck. Pangolin meat is also considered a delicacy in most Asian and African restaurants. Poachers consider pangolin as a source of income because they trade it in the black market to restaurants and traditional medical practitioners. The advantages of pangolins to the communities have led to increased poaching. There are formal and informal laws that protect pangolin from poachers, but still, high numbers of pangolins are being trafficked illegally.

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