Pangolins , curious animals with the appearance of anteaters and their bodies covered with large scales, inhabit the tropical areas of Asia and Africa. For years they have been at risk , because their meat is considered a delicatessen in areas like China and they attribute medicinal properties to their scales.
Now, a new study led by the University of Sussex (UK) reveals that the threat is much worse, as pangolin hunting has increased by 150% in the forests of central Africa from 1970 to 2014 , putting it at serious risk of extinction to this species.
It is the first study of its kind to show the true scale of local pangolin exploitation across the continent. According to data from the international research team, 2.7 million pangolins are hunted annually in the forests of Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.
The scientists used data from 113 areas in 14 African countries to estimate the total annual hunt for pangolins. Currently and, unfortunately for these animals, the meat and scales of the pangolin are even more in demand than the ivory of the elephants. To this must be added that pangolins reproduce slowly, since the female usually gives birth to a single young.
“Our new study shows that African pangolins are at risk, now we have the opportunity to ensure that these species do not follow the severe declines of Asian pangolins. If we do not act now to better understand and protect these charismatic animals, we may lose them in the future. future, “explains Daniel Ingram, leader of the work that publishes Conservation Letters.
Researchers have found pangolin traps across central Africa, despite the practice being illegal in most of these countries. The market price has risen almost 6 times since 1990 despite being a protected animal.
The result of this combination is that the reality is much harsher, cruel and worrisome than we thought.
The authors call on governments across the continent to increase pressure to enforce international trade bans , undertake educational and outreach programs, and monitor pangolin populations to prevent them from disappearing in the future, as has happened with other species. .
“Compared to other species, relatively little is known about African pangolins. With the increase in hunting, it is crucial to investigate how it is linked to the illegal wildlife trade. The engagement of governments and local people will be critical to the conservation of African pangolins “, judgment Ingram.
“Collecting data from local studies gathered by hundreds of researchers allows us to provide vital information on the regional exploitation of African pangolins at a critical time for the survival of these species. Putting these individual studies together allows us to see the bigger picture that can be help conservation policy and provide evidence to governments around the world that they need to take action to use natural resources more sustainably, “concludes Jörn Scharlemann, co-author of the study.
Referencia: Assessing Africa-Wide Pangolin Exploitation by Scaling Local Data. Conservation Letters. 2017. DOI: 10.1111/conl.12339
Crédito imagen: National Botanic Garden of Belgium
