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Pangolin trafficking from Africa to Asia
Pangolins are the most trafficked wild mammals, and Nigeria is the main export hub for scales bound for China and Vietnam.
Open on the interactive globeA CITES and IUCN report from August 2025 documents 2,222 seizures of pangolins or their parts in 49 countries between 2016 and 2024, involving an estimated 553,042 animals along 178 trafficking routes. Scales made up 99 percent of seized parts, and the white-bellied pangolin was the most trafficked species by number. The report points to missing population data and weak reporting by CITES parties.
Species
| Species | IUCN status | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phataginus tricuspis Phataginus tricuspis | endangered (IUCN EN) | iucnredlist.org | |
| Manis pentadactyla Manis pentadactyla | critically endangered (IUCN CR) | iucn.org | |
| Manis javanica Manis javanica | critically endangered (IUCN CR) | iucn.org |
Needs
- anti-poaching
- animal rescue
Who is helping
Organisations that, according to their own publications, work on this event (3). Donations go directly to each organisation's own website - GLOBURNS does not handle payments.
- Fauna & Flora (FFI)Fauna & Flora is the oldest international conservation organisation, working with local partners. It protects pangolins, including in Liberia, and supports Kenya's first…Donate on the organisation's website (fauna-flora.org)
- Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria (PCGN)Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria protects pangolins in Nigeria through research, awareness, collaboration on law enforcement against trafficking, and the rescue…Donate on the organisation's website (pcwgn.com.ng)
- Save Vietnam's Wildlife (SVW)Save Vietnam's Wildlife rescues pangolins and small carnivores confiscated from traffickers, treats them and releases them into protected areas, and runs anti-poaching…Donate on the organisation's website (svw.vn)
Sources
- iucn.org iucn.org/press-release/202508/lack-data-and-reporting-gaps-hamper-global-efforts-protect…
- downtoearth.org.in downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/world-pangolin-day-2026-500000-pangolins-seized…
- wildlifejustice.org wildlifejustice.org/major-wildlife-trafficking-bust-in-nigeria-five-arrested-and-3-765-to…
- iucnredlist.org iucnredlist.org/species/12767/123586469
Seed record, before editorial verification. Every number links to its source; report errors on the Corrections page. Methodology · Corrections
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