What is it?
The pangolin (Manis sp.) can be described as Africa and Asia's version of the American armadillo (Dasypus sp.) and therefore an example of what is known as convergent evolution or where two animals develop similar traits in response to similar environmental needs despite, being miles apart. It is covered in scales that are comprised of keratin, the same material as can be found in your fingernails and is the only mammal species to do so; when a potential predator approaches the pangolin wraps itself into a ball like position, protecting itself from harm however, if this fails to deter the predator the pangolin has yet another method of defense, it can spray a foul smelling acid to rid itself of the predator threat.
The uniqueness of the pangolin has earned them a placement in their own order pholidota, all are nocturnal living solitary lives and feed on ants and termites using their long tongues to collect them.
Pangolins are also great mothers who carry their babies called pangopups, on their tails for the first two months of their lives, after which they continue to stay with mum for a further two years till they reach adulthood.
The pangolin's problem
Most species of pangolin are endangered with two Asian species being recently changed to critically endangered, this is due to over 100,000 pangolins being illegally poached every year to be used in the trade of pangolin meat. The meat can fetch up to £168.00 per kilo and is seen as a status symbol product in countries such as Vietnam and China; a popular dish is pangolin fetus soup which is used to aid various symptoms from virility in men to breastfeeding in women. Scales are also highly prized and are believed to aid in curing both mild symptoms to serious medical conditions such as cancer.
There is of course no scientific evidence to suggest that consuming any of these food items results in the desired effect and the belief in them providing these benefits probably comes from the Chinese meaning of the pangolins name meaning one that can dig through a hill; leading to consumerists believing that they will be instilled with this strength by eating them.
How we can help
Reducing the need for pangolin meat and scales is the obvious first step in protecting pangolins from extinction and therefore awareness campaigns are a good start and have worked for other delicacies such as shark fin soup and whale meat which have seen declines in trade since awareness campaigns started.
Addressing the illegal trade of the species within China and Vietnam and enforcing stricter penalties for those caught poaching and selling pangolin meat however, as with any conservation effort it requires funding to make it happen and the only way funding can occur is by making the nation more aware of the pangolin's plight and how much of a loss it would be to lose this amazingly unique creature forever.
The recently developed pangolin specialist group website is a good place to visit if you would like to learn more about the pangolin and the conservation efforts being undertaken to help it, the site is run by dedicated researches and also offers the option for people to get involved or if they so wish to donate to the cause. To view the website please click here.
My views
I have to start by saying and please remember this is purely my opinion on the matter, that is continues to surprise me that countries such as China and Japan that are so developed in ways such as technology but can be and I shall try to pick my words carefully, underdeveloped in this aspect. I struggle to understand how people who have the cognitive ability to develop leading technologies can fall foul of unfounded traditional beliefs that clearly carry no medical benefit for the consumer. Now I understand that there is the argument that in the UK people eat meat and that it can vary from cows, to deer but all these animals are not taken from wild populations and are being consumed on the basis of the simple fact that we are omnivorous and therefore require a diet that includes meat as part of a healthy diet not because we believe that we will gain some unrealistic medical gain such as higher fertility or a cure for cancer. It is therefore a shame that such a wonderful species is facing extinction not due to habitat loss but alike species such as the tiger, rhinoceros and elephant, due to human ignorance and unwillingness to accept that their beliefs are unfounded and ever more outdated in a population that is overflowing with bright minds and great technology.
As always thanks for taking the time to read my blog and feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments box below :).
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