These shy, scaly anteaters are the most trafficked mammals in the world
Associated Press News • • general
Key Points:
- Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals globally, primarily hunted for their unique keratin scales, which are highly demanded in traditional medicine markets in Asia despite lacking proven medicinal value.
- Between 2016 and 2024, over half a million pangolins were seized in anti-trafficking operations, with estimates suggesting over a million pangolins have been taken from the wild in the past decade.
- All eight pangolin species, split evenly between Africa and Asia, face significant extinction risks, with poaching continuing at alarming rates, particularly in hotspots like Nigeria.
- Conservation efforts in Nigeria, led by wildlife veterinarian Dr. Mark Ofua, focus on raising public awareness through education and celebrity involvement, addressing the challenge that
