Pangolin Kampala- Countries such as Uganda must address enforcement and governance failures to protect pangolins which are at risk of extinction, conservationists have said.
Pangolins are a group of Asian and African mammals that feed on insects mainly termites and ants.
Edith Kabesiime, Wildlife Campaign Manager at World Animal Protection says despite their crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems, the animals are the most heavily trafficked in the world.
“Pangolins play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems. It is imperative we take action to protect them before it is too late,” said Kabesiime in a hybrid event held in Kampala on Friday ahead of the World pangolins day celebrated yearly on the 3rd Saturday of February.
She noted that Pangolins are facing an existential crisis and a raft of welfare problems. “They are forcefully extracted from their habitats in the wild, often smoked from their hide outs, repeatedly knocked with blunt objects before being thrown into boiling water while still conscious, for extraction of their scales for export to Asia for the unscientifically proven traditional Asian Medicine.
She added, “The capture is indiscriminate and the suffering these sentient beings go through are horrendous. To make matters even worse, when adults are captured, their babies can hardly survive on their own, leading to suffering and population decline.”
She said the World Pangolin Day, that will be marked this Saturday, serves as a reminder of our obligation to act urgently.
“To protect pangolins from pain and suffering, risk of extinction and their right to a wild life, we must tackle the insatiable demand for their scales and meat. Pangolins are not medicine. We demand ruthless enforcement of policies to safeguard and protect them,” said Kabesiime.
She also urged African governments not to endorse traditional Asian medicine that contains wildlife parts/ derivatives.
In a keynote presentation titled “How to fall in love with a pangolin”, Rebeca Sandoval the Co-founder & Director Biodiversity Alliance said, “As this is Valentine week, let us extend love and compassion to non-human sentient beings such as pangolins because they have a right to live in this planet just like us, and it is our responsibility to protect them”.
Pangolins, also known as scaly anteaters, are one of the world’s most trafficked mammals and are highly sought after for their meat and scales, which are used in traditional medicines. Despite their protected status, pangolins continue to be hunted and traded illegally.
“The plight of pangolins is a stark reminder of the devastating impact that human activities can have on our planet’s wildlife. This is a worrying trajectory that must be ended,” said World Animal Protection
New data from TRAFFIC confirms that at least 23.5 tonnes of pangolins and their parts were trafficked in 2021 alone.
In 2016, all the eight species of pangolins were up listed CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendix 1, according them the highest level of protection. This action was majorly due to their over-exploitation in illegal trade.
In 2019, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) conducted a law enforcement operation targeting a Vietnamese wildlife trafficking network and seized 3.2 tonnes of elephant ivory and 423 kilograms of pangolin scales with an estimated value of USD $2.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively.
Customs officials at the Elegu Uganda – South Sudan border crossing discovered and impounded the consignment in three containers concealed in logs of wood and wax in transit from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Asia.
There are eight species of pangolin: four found in Asia and four found in Africa. They have traditionally been consumed in both regions. However, only recently has the demand in Asia been met through the supply of African pangolins.
Pangolins have a slow reproductive rate, with females giving birth to only one or two offspring per year, which makes it difficult for populations to recover from over-hunting and other threats.
Animal welfare efforts, including habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and education and awareness campaigns, are necessary to ensure the survival of pangolins and their habitats.
According to the Uganda Wildlife Act 2019, a poacher or poachers involved in killing endangered species face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or fine of Shs20 billion or both.
