Pangolin poaching at ‘epic’ levels
IT has been eaten to near extinction in the Far East and now the four African species of pangolin are facing a similar threat.
Authorities seized a one-ton shipment of pangolin scales last week when it arrived in Hong Kong via South Africa.
All eight species of pangolin — also known as the scaly anteater — are on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List.
The Cape or Temminck’s ground pangolin, which is found in South Africa, is considered the least vulnerable — but the Red List warns that it is fast on the decline, too.
“In South Africa, pangolins are virtually extinct in KwaZulu-Natal, with North West and Limpopo being two local hot spots where their numbers are drastically declining,” said Darren Pietersen, chairman of the African Pangolin Working Group. Locally, the scaly anteater is not only poached for meat, but also in the name of traditional beliefs.
“Some people believe that if you keep the scale on you, whether as a necklace or in your pocket, it will protect you,” said Pietersen.
Professor Ray Jansen, associate professor in population and community ecology at the Tshwane University of Technology, said because pangolins were “an incredibly secretive, illusive and rare animal”, it was hard to gauge the population size and effects of poaching.
“Pangolin poaching in South Africa . . . has reached epic proportions and we believe it is the most poached mammal on earth,” said Jansen. “Poaching of pangolins way exceeds that of any other mammal — rhinos included.”
The pangolin scales confiscated in Hong Kong came from about 300 adult pangolins, according to an estimate by David Newton, a wildlife trade specialist, who said the shipment pointed to a very organised operation. “Somebody is targeting them in a very particular way and as a result there is increasing pressure on the African pangolin.”