Illegal wildlife trading has been going on for countless years, from rhinos to elephants and even tigers. Until today, these animals are prominent sources of illegal trading, as horns, tusks, and skins continue to skyrocket in price. These animal parts are valued so highly not just because they serve as a symbol of wealth and pride but also because they can provide so-called “medicinal” purposes. However, out of all these animals, the most trafficked mammal, aside from humans, is the pangolin. These shy-looking creatures are currently on the brink of extinction, and the sad reality is that many are unaware of their existence.
Pangolins are known as very gentle and secretive creatures. Based on the World Wide Fund, these armadillo-looking creatures are mammals covered with as many as 1,000 keratin scales and can roll into a ball when faced with predators in the wild. This “scaly anteater” uses its tongue to reach for food and pick them up since they do not have teeth. Yet, while their scales can be used to protect them from other creatures, they fail to keep them safe from human exploitation. According to traffic.org, it is estimated that over 1,000,000 pangolins have been poached in the last decade, with around 20 tonnes of pangolins being poached internationally every year. Pangolins are in high demand as they are believed to have medicinal purposes. Nevertheless, there is a lack of scientific data backing these claims.
Considering that pangolins only give birth once a year, these creatures can’t catch up in number. Poaching may bring tons of wealth and status, but it drastically hurts our surroundings. Just as the saying goes, “Whatever you throw in the sea will come back to you.” A loss of a specific animal could begin a ripple effect on the food chain and food web. Pangolins, in particular, have a diet that includes eating insects like ants and termites. Without them, the crops of local areas would suffer a big hit.
Numerous animals, not just the pangolins, face the threat of endangerment due to poaching. If not resolved properly, these practices could further grow and affect more and more creatures and their ecosystems. Anyone, from students, teachers, and parents, can take a stand to help protect the ecosystem. With the great resources the earth provides comes great responsibility. Poaching may seem too vast for us to handle, but we can always start small by spreading awareness. Being aware of what we eat is also one way to help the ecosystem—staying away from places selling endangered animals as food does a ton of help. Furthermore, visiting wildlife refuges and animal preservation habitats helps fund their facilities for longer periods of time. This also creates countless jobs for those who need them. These efforts may seem small at first, but just like Vincent Van Gogh put it, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
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