A Call to Save the Pangolin!

Pangolins provide the earth with all-natural pest control. They are fantastic tenders of soil. Their presence alongside other organisms and processes within the habitat they live in, is absolutely imperative to continued healthy ecosystem functioning. The need to actively and aggressively conserve this animal stems from the fact that it is the most illegally trafficked mammal in the world. This is due to the increasing demand for their meat, scales and other body parts which are used in many traditional medicines and luxury dishes. This high demand is causing unsustainable levels of poaching and illegal trade, driving pangolins to the brink of extinction. Recent analyses confirm that Nigeria is both a source and transit country for pangolin parts, primarily scales, which are trafficked from the gulf of Guinea region to East Asian markets, most notably China.