WATCH: Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammals: it is everyone’s duty to protect them

WATCH: Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammals: it is everyone’s duty to protect them – UNODC

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal on Earth. This pangolin is one of the lucky ones. He was picked up by chance by Mpumalanga veterinary surgeon, Dr Helena Rampf on a district road near Hoedspruit, bordering the Kruger National Park. Abandoned, confused, dehydrated and showing signs of concussion from possibly being run over or hit by a car judging by the black rubber marks, this week-old male pangolin weighed only 1.7kg. It’s possible he fell out of a poacher's car. File Picture: Armand Hough/African News Agency (ANA)

Published Feb 20, 2022

Durban – The South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr), the South African Police Service (SAPS) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) celebrated World Pangolin Day on Saturday, which falls on every third Saturday in February every year.

The Saambr said World Pangolin Day was an opportunity to join together in raising awareness about the plight of these gentle animals.

“Unfortunately, pangolins are killed and trafficked in great numbers. The IUCN categorises pangolins from vulnerable to critically endangered,” Saambr said.

Pangolins are critically endangered. Their scales are highly sought after for traditional medicine despite being made of keratin, like our fingernails.
The extinction of a species jeopardizes the stability of ecosystems.https://t.co/NOApOFEK8W #EndWildlifeCrime #WorldPangolinDay pic.twitter.com/twnLKcRN2U
— UN Office on Drugs & Crime (@UNODC) February 19, 2022

“While we reflect on the plight of the pangolin, let’s remember all the other creatures both terrestrial and marine who need our protection…”

Saambr then quoted Sir David Attenborough who once said: “Pangolins are very important in the whole ecosystem that we have. If you lose pangolins, you upset all sorts of things but the sheer inhumanity of not looking after such a beautiful, gentle animal as a pangolin breaks my heart.”

Happy #WorldPangolinDay!
➡️ Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammal ‼️
Pangolins can defend themselves from predators by rolling up into a ball, using their scales like armour. But this doesn’t protect them from human poachers.
They need our help.#EndWildlifeCrime pic.twitter.com/Ny4UY7Z0Ur
— UN Office on Drugs & Crime (@UNODC) February 19, 2022

The UNODC posted a video to its playlist #EndWildlifeCrime on Facebook.

“Today we celebrate the animal that’s sometimes referred to as a “walking artichoke”. They can defend themselves from predators by rolling up into a ball, using their scales like armour. But this doesn’t protect them from human poachers: pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammals. They need our protection! #EndWildlifeCrime,” read the post.

The SAPS shared the UNODC video, and said poaching and trafficking pangolins was a crime.

The SAPS then called for anyone with information to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

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