Threats to Pangolins & Pangolin Conservation

[Mel]

Very mixed feelings after having read the article... Of course I'm delighted to hear about the rescued and rehabilitated pangolins,
but sad at the same time about those that didn't make it because of the greed of human species - once again.

Thanks for posting this, Lis.

[mposthumus]

heartwarming yet sad

Thx Lis

[nan]

I don't dare to watch

[Lisbeth]

There is nothing upsetting, Nan

[nan]

thanks will go

[Flutterby]

Thousands of frozen pangolins lie in a pit in Indonesia

Thursday 30 April 2015

Three to four thousand frozen pangolins lie in a pit before being burnt in Medan, Indonesia. This huge seizure was a joint operation between the Indonesian National Police’s criminal investigation division and the Wildlife Conservation Society’s wildlife crimes unit, from a warehouse in Medan, the largest city on the island of Sumatra, on 23 April. A total of 96 live animals were found including five tonnes of frozen pangolins, 77kg of scales with an estimated street value of $1.8m (£1.2m), plus 24 bear paws

[nan]

what horreur

[Flutterby]

10 Facts about the pangolin

Posted: June 2, 2015

The pangolin, also known as the scaly anteater, is the world’s most trafficked animal. Its body parts are sold in China and Vietnam as a delicacy or are used for their mythical healing properties.

This beautiful creature is now so endangered that it is under the protection of international law. Looking into its gentle eyes, one can only hope that we are not too late.

Having travelled through game reserves for over 40 years without ever having set eyes on one, we could not believe our luck when we came across a very much alive pangolin on a night drive from Rhino Post Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park.

We felt quite emotional seeing it curled into a defensive ball, its armour-like scales protecting its soft underbelly, legs and face. We stood in awe, bestowing every possible blessing for protection and procreation onto this little being.

Pangolins need a natural environment in which to thrive, and loss of habitat due to increasing development is a big threat for the species. These small innocent beings are shy but will bond with humans, given time to build trust. However, they are best left to grow and breed in protected natural areas such as game reserves.

Organisations such as Save Pangolins are doing what they can to increase laws to protect pangolin natural habitats and reduce poaching.

Here are ten fascinating facts about the pangolin:

1. The hard, overlapping scales of the pangolin are actually made of keratin, which is the same substance found in our nails and hair. The scales continue to grow throughout their life.

2. The pangolin does not have teeth but uses a thick, strong and sticky tongue to catch its food. The pangolin’s tongue is longer than its head and body when extended – it is attached at its pelvis and last pair of ribs, and the rest of it is stored in its chest cavity.

3. Their stomach has keratinous spines projecting into its interior. Small ingested stones accumulated in the stomach help to mash and grind prey, thus working in much the same manner as a bird’s gizzard.

4. Pangolins are capable swimmers and, according to Save Pangolins, “while some pangolin species such as the African ground pangolin (Manis temmincki) are completely terrestrial, others, such as the African tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis), are adept climbers, using their claws and semi-prehensile tails to grip bark and scale trees.”

5. When threatened, they curl up into a tight ball and may also emit a noxious acid from glands near the anus.

6. The lifespan of a pangolin in the wild is unknown as they are shy creatures and are, therefore, quite difficult to study. However, some have been recorded to live as long as 20 years in captivity.

7. Adult pangolins are like little hermits, preferring to live a solitary life rather than in pairs or families.

8. Pangolins are nocturnal animals.

9. Pangolins eat insects and it is estimated that they can eat up to 70 million insects a year. Save Pangolins also explains that they “have special muscles that seal their nostrils and ears shut, protecting them from insects. They also have special muscles in their mouths which prevent ants and termites from escaping after capture.”

10. Mother pangolins keep their young in burrows until they are old enough to ride on their mother’s tail. The mother curls up snugly around the baby pangolin at night or if she senses danger.

The more I have learnt, the more the pangolin has won my heart with its funny shaped body and kind eyes and the more I am also horrified by its impending extinction.

[Lisbeth]

Myanmar’s illegal pangolin trade booming

Pangolin for sale in Mong La © Chris R Shepherd / TRAFFIC

The Illegal trade in live pangolins, their meat, and their scales in Myanmar is booming says TRAFFIC published in Global Ecology and Conservation. Their report identifies the Special Development Zone of Mong La as a particular concern.

Surveys of Mong La’s morning market, wildlife trophy shops and wild meat restaurants by the paper’s authors during four visits from 2006 to 2015 found 42 bags of scales, 32 whole skins, 16 foetuses or pangolin parts in wine, and 27 whole pangolins openly for sale, clearly indicating this town is as a significant hub of the pangolin trade.

The origin of the pangolins offered for sale in Mong La appears to include pangolins sourced from Myanmar itself, as well as from neighbouring countries, and potentially Africa—ivory, rhino horn and hippo teeth from Africa have all been observed in recent years in this market.

Myanmar is an important transit country for the smuggling of pangolins and other wildlife. Mong La is situated in the Shan State of Myanmar on the border with China, and caters exclusively for the Chinese market, where demand for pangolins is high.

Data from 29 seizures in Myanmar and 23 from neighbouring countries (Thailand, India, China) implicating Myanmar as a source of pangolins or as a transit point for pangolins sourced in other countries, in the period 2010–2014, reveal that a combined total of 4339 kg of scales and 518 whole pangolins have been seized, according to the study.

in pangolins, their parts of their derivatives is prohibited by law in Myanmar. Furthermore, all Asian pangolin species are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) with a zero-quota which means international trade is not allowed.

“Ongoing demand and unopposed wildlife crime networks are pushing all four of Asia’s pangolins towards the brink of extinction” said Dr Chris R. Shepherd, Regional Director of TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia. “Collaboration between governments in Asia is needed to reduce cross-border trade significantly, to prevent these amazing species from being lost forever.”

TRAFFIC strongly urges the Myanmar Government to liaise with regional authorities to tackle the illegal pangolin trade and to resolve the illicit cross-border trade of wildlife .

Read here too: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar ... 9415300342

[Lisbeth]

Never heard about hippo teeth