Pangolins, scaly creatures of Africa and Asia, currently lie at the brink of extinction. Eight different pangolin species exist throughout the two continents. The four Asian species include the Indian Pangolin, the Philippine Pangolin, Sunda Pangolin, and the Chinese pangolins; the four African species include the White Bellied Tree Pangolin, the Giant Ground Pangolin, the Ground Pangolin, and the Black Bellied Tree Pangolin (Panaino). Of these species, the Chinese pangolin and the Sunda pangolin identify as Critically Endangered. Organizations list the Indian Pangolin and the Philippine Pangolin as Endangered and the remaining four species as Vulnerable. Though many people globally remain unaware of the species, serious dangers lie ahead for pangolins. …show more content…
The International Union for Conservation of Nature stated that over ninety percent of the Chinese pangolins have died due to the poaching that occurs. According to various sources, people in China and other Asian countries poach and commercially trade pangolins due to their supposed health benefits. Then, they create herbal medicines and various dishes from the pangolins’ scales. Despite their beliefs, physicians state that no significant health benefits exist as a result consuming pangolins’ scales. Nations across the world passed legislation to stop commercial trading of pangolins at the 17th Conference of the Parties in South Africa, but it continues to occur at a rapid rate. Unfortunately, scientists have not developed enough research to create a sufficient plan to lower the risk of the pangolins’ possible endangerment. Unawareness and illegal commercial trading of pangolins continue to reduce the pangolins’ populations at a rapid rate; their probable extinction will affect their ecosystems and the organisms they interact