Global-Wildlife-Conservation Global-Wildlife-Conservation
  • Our Mission
    • Biodiversity
    • Extinction
  • Our Work
    • Wildlands
    • Wildlife
    • Guardians
    • Solutions
    • Impact
  • Our Stories
    • Blog
    • Press Room
    • Romeo The Frog
    • Search for Lost Species
  • Get Involved
    • Stay Informed
    • Follow Us
    • Ambassadors
    • Brand Partners
    • Events
  • Donate
back to blog

Pangolins Receive Strongest Global Trade Protection

09. 29. 2016
Ground-pangolin-walking

On Sept. 28, Pangolins were provided the strongest possible global protectionsfrom trade as the international commercial trade of Pangolins and Pangolin parts was officially proposed for prohibition. This happened at the 17th Conference of the Parties (CoP 17) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Johannesburg, South Africa. The CITES Committee 1 recommended to plenary, the transfer of all eight Pangolin species from Appendix II to Appendix I. So pending plenary, which should simply be a formality, these important protections will come into force.

Why is this so momentous? Well Pangolins are regarded by UNODC and others as the most trafficked wild mammals on earth. Some estimates suggest that 1 million Pangolins have been poached in the past 10 years, and according to a recent report by Annamiticus this year alone 77 confirmed pangolin trafficking incidents spanning 19 countries have yielded 18,670 tons of pangolin scales–a simply shocking number representing the scale of the problem. They are poached, trafficked and sold to supply the demand for their meat, which is seen as a delicacy and status symbol, and for their scales, which are used in traditional Asian medicine.

zero poaching

What protection does this decision provide? Until this decision Pangolins were listed on CITES Appendix II, which allows for regulated legal commercial trade, and in addition since 2000, Asian pangolins had a zero export quota for wild-caught individuals intended for commercial purposes. While this effectively made international commercial trade in Asian Pangolins illegal, it did not require importing countries to issue import permits for non-commercial imports, so that the burden of enforcement was entirely with the exporting countries. Given that it is practically impossible for enforcement officials to identify scales or meat to the species level, it is critical that all eight species of Pangolin have the same protection and all international commercial trade is prohibited. This will make enforcement much simpler for all.

Will this save Pangolins? There remain two major challenges ahead for Pangolins and those trying to save them. Firstly, having legal protections is only the first step. The next step is to implement effective enforcement of the law in all range, transit and consumer countries; this is no easy task. We must work toward Zero Poaching across the range of all Pangolin species to ensure their long-term protection. Secondly, as long as the demand remains, there will always be a market for poached Pangolins and people will risk trafficking, selling and buying them. So Pangolins still have a long way to go before they are safe.

But this week’s news is a huge victory for Pangolins and the international conservation community. GWC would like to congratulate all those who made it happen. When the world comes together behind a cause, it is impressive what can be achieved.

(Top image by Nigel J. Dennis, via Arkive)

  • Poaching
  • Combatting Wildlife Crime
  • CITES
  • pangolin
  • trade
  • Zero Poaching
  • Cop17

About the Author

Barney Long

GWC's director of species conservation, Dr. Barney Long, works on the conservation of endangered mammal species and the thematic approaches required to achieve the recovery of their populations. He has worked extensively on Saola, Sumatran and Javan Rhino, Tiger, Gibbons, Doucs and a host of other species across the world. A focus of his work is protected area management effectiveness and the prevention of poaching. Prior to joining Global Wildlife Conservation, Dr. Barney Long led the Species Program at WWF-US.

Categories

Wildlife Mammals Preventing Wildlife Crime Recovering Endangered Species

Related Posts

Baby gorilla

Virunga’s mountain gorilla population is growing. Can tourism help sustain it long-term?

11. 14. 2019

Protecting the park for its Mountain Gorillas, biodiversity and local

Read More
Rediscovered Silver-backed Chevrotain in Vietnam

On the Case: Solving the Mysteries of the Lost Silver-backed Chevrotain

11. 11. 2019

Camera trap survey reveals miniature 'deer' in Vietnam's coastal fores

Read More

Ashes to Ashes

10. 22. 2019

Between mid-August and early October, fires devastated 13.2 million ac

Read More
Rescued Loa Water Frog in Chile

Cómo un pequeño equipo está tomando medidas heroicas para salvar a una especie de rana a punto de extinguirse

08. 20. 2019

El impresionante talento de un pequeño equipo de expertos en Chile, l

Read More
Loa Water Frog

The Loa Down: How a Small Team is Taking Heroic Measures for a Species of Frog Barely Holding On

08. 20. 2019

International community encourages Chilean government to formally safe

Read More
Tigrina

The Sixth Cat

08. 08. 2019

Dr. Jim Sanderson and colleagues may have discovered an entirely new s

Read More
Previous Next
    About
    • About Us
    • Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Careers
    • GWC Ethics
    Collaboration
    • Conservation Partners
    • Associate Scientists
    • Brand Partners
    • Fiscal Sponsorship
    • Notes From the Field
    Resources
    • Contact
    • Press
    • Financials
    • Charity Navigator
    Connect

© 2019 Global Wildlife Conservation. All Rights Reserved. Charitable Solicitation Disclosures.

    • Privacy Policy
    • Site Map
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Necessary Always Enabled

  • Our Mission
    ▼
    • Biodiversity
    • Extinction
  • Our Work
    ▼
    • Wildlands
    • Wildlife
    • Guardians
    • Solutions
    • Impact
  • Our Stories
    ▼
    • Blog
    • Press Room
    • Romeo The Frog
    • Search for Lost Species
  • Get Involved
    ▼
    • Stay Informed
    • Follow Us
    • Ambassadors
    • Brand Partners
    • Events
  • Donate