Save Pangolins from Extinction

Found in tropical regions of Asia and Africa, the pangolin is refered to as a scaly anteater- the world's only mammal to have scales.They are in great demand in China because their meat is considered a delicacy and some Chinese believe pangolin scales have medicinal qualities that can stimulate lactation or cure cancer or asthma- all based on superstition with no evidence that it works.

Although the are protected from trade, illegal poaching is decimating populations of eight species of pangolin. Four Asian species have been hit hardest by the trade; but there are now reports of the other four species found in Africa being smuggled out of the country as they become scarcer in Asia.

In the past decade there have been numerous seizures of illegally trafficked pangolin and pangolin meat in Asia. Recently, 400 crates, carrying over 10 tonnes of illegally poached panglins were siezed coming from the Phillipines headed for the Asian Black Market.

Pangolins are extremely important to eco-systems containing ant or termite colonies because they control these numerous insects which eat through crops in countries where farming is essential and the economic damage can be devistating, even leading to starvation in many communities.

Pangolins face a real possibility of extinction if something isn't done to stop the illegal trafficking for a medicinal cure that is based on superstition. We ask for harsher penalities for poaching and more public education about how important pangolins are to the environment.

President of the People's Republic of China
Excellency Xi Jinping
Zhongnanhai
Xi Chang’an Jie
Beijing 100017
Phone: + 86 10 6307 0913
Fax: + 86 10 6307 0900
Website: www.gov.cn
Email: English@mail.gov.cn