You will be shocked by the number of pangolins that fall into the hands of poachers

Did you know that the most sold animals in the world are pangolins? Although this fact has long been documented and no one doubts, the new report of scientists showed that the number of animals that were victims of trafficking (and, most likely, killed) was previously extremely underestimated.

The new report

A new study by an international team led by scientists from the University of Sussex in the UK is the first to show comprehensive local data on pangolins in Central Africa. Since the pangolins are timid nocturnal creatures that live in the forest, it was difficult in the past to obtain an accurate picture of the number of their populations and the number of dead animals per year. Now this data is no longer a secret. The results of the research of scientists were published in the journal Conservation Letters.

According to the report, over the past 45 years, the number of dead pangolins has increased by 150 percent. Estimates of scientists show that about 400,000 animals die each year. Incredibly, this study suggests that in fact this number could be about 2.7 million.

Sale of African pangolins

Pangolins are wonderful little creatures, covered with scales, which are killed for use in alternative medicine. To collect data, scientists visited well-known hunting grounds and wild animal markets in 113 locations in 14 countries of Central Africa, including Cameroon, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic. They found that the sales of African pangolins to Asia are increasing, as the Asian pangolin populations declined sharply in recent years. In addition, almost half of the animals killed are young. This has a devastating effect on the population as a whole, since the pangolins very slowly multiply and lead only one baby once every couple of years.

The data of the scientists also showed that the prices of the city market for giant and wood pangolins (both species are under protection) increased 5.8 and 2.3 times respectively since the 1990s. And, despite the fact that their catching in most countries of Central Africa is illegal, poachers set traps in many forests.

Importance of observing an international ban on trade

Regardless of whether Central African countries know how many animals are being victimized by poachers, researchers urge governments across the continent to enforce international trade bans, and to strengthen the protection of these animals before we lose them forever.

"Compared to other species, little is known about African pangolins, but recently they attract international attention," said lead author Daniel Ingram in his statement. The increase in the scale of hunting scientists attributed to the prosperity of illegal trade in wild animals. The participation of governments and local residents will be crucial for the conservation of African pangolins as a species.