Where have all the Pangolin Gone this Endangered Species Day?

By, Susan Sacirbey

Photo Credit: wildlifereview.blogspot.com

Endangered Species Day, May 18 , 2018 –  Dr. Jane Goodall perhaps sums it up best: “Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if we help shall we all be saved.”  Unless we take action immediately to protect our endangered and threatened wildlife our lives and experiences as human beings will be diminished.

 

Despite efforts to reduce illegal ivory trade, elephants are being killed at a higher rate than they can produce. (See: “Elephants Will Disappear at Current Poaching Rates.”) Elephants and rhino are on the social media radar, but many species don’t get the recognition they deserve. They are no less important to our world. (See – Category Archives: Animal Welfare Ambassadors.)

Less than 10 Florida panthers exist in The Everglades, killed more recently by cars. (See: “Snowbirds Migrating to Free Birds – A Compelling Journey of Body & Spirit.”)  Tragically, another panther can be added to the list of casualties – found SHOT in The Everglades recently.

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But how about the pangolin? For many, the better question would be “the what”? This nocturnal “scaly anteater” found in Africa and Asia is the most trafficked mammal in the world. Hunted for meat and its powdered scales used in trinkets and as an aphrodisiac, pangolin are also victims of  deforestation like the orangutan or man of the forest.

Won’t even go into the use of exotic animals in fashion, as pets, or epicurean specialties, let alone the palm oil industry.  Have we intelligent humans also become so endangeredEndangered Species Day must be more than a commemoration and designation. It must become a state of mind for the global citizen.

PHOTO: babyanimalzoo.com

 

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