The United States wants to register seven species of Pangolines as in danger of extinction, a classification that would strengthen the fight against mass traffic of this mammal, the poorest in the world.
These small night mammals found in Africa and Asia are persecuted by their flesh and scales, recognized for their multiple virtues in Chinese medicine.
It is estimated that one million of these animals would have been indicated in the last decade, especially due to the demand in Asia.
“Eight species of Pangolin are subject to commercial restrictions”
The American Wildlife Protection Agency, “the United States fishing and wild life service offers federal protections for several species of pangolines in Asia and Africa,” according to a statement on Monday, which points to the “decrease in the populations of Pangolines caused by the illegal search for these wild animals, the loss of their habitat and poor genetic health.”
Until now, only one of the eight species of Pangolin, the Pangolin Temminck or the land pangolin of Cape Cabo, which lives in the savanna and the forested areas of the south and east of Africa, benefited from this type of protection.
Washington’s announcement was applauded by the association of the Biological Diversity Center that works for the protection of endangered species.
“I am delighted that the United States do its part to save these adorable and strange creatures,” said Sarah Uhlemann, director of international programs.
Registered in the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the eight species of Pangolin are subject to commercial restrictions.
But despite these protections, the illegal traffic of Pangolin continues and also touches the United States. According to official data, US authorities seized 76 charges containing pieces of pangolines between 2016 and 2020.
Source: BFM TV
