The emergence of a commercial trade in pangolins from Gabon

Abstract

Recent seizures of illegally held wildlife indicate a mounting global trade in pangolins involving all eight species. Seizures of illegally traded African pangolins are increasing as wild populations of Asian species decline. We investigated trade in pangolins and law enforcement efforts in Gabon; a country likely to have intact wild populations of three of the four species of African pangolin. We compared village sales and trade chains between 2002‐2003 and 2014. Hunters reported pangolins to be the most frequently requested species in 2014, and the value of pangolins had increased at every point along their trade chain. In Libreville, giant pangolin prices increased 211% and arboreal pangolin prices 73% whilst inflation rose only 4.6% over the same period. We documented a low rate of interception of illegally traded pangolins despite increased law enforcement. Surveys of potential export routes detected exports across forest borders, in conjunction with ivory, but not through public transport routes. We conclude that whilst there is clear potential and likelihood that a wild pangolin export trade is emerging from Gabon, traditional bushmeat trade chains may not be the primary supply route. We recommend adjusting conservation policies and actions to impede further development of illegal trade within and from Gabon.

First records of pangolin trafficking in South Sudan

“…Other than links into Juba, including to Juba International Airport, which show that trafficking of pangolin parts is being attempted, we do not know the exact trade routes through South Sudan though it is reasonable to assume that pangolin products are also trafficked, like other wildlife products, by road across the borders with Uganda, DRC, Ethiopia and other neighbouring countries due to limited and, at certain locations, nonexistent border control. Furthermore, the link to an Asian industry worker in South Sudan is the cause for concern and follows a similar finding in Gabon (Mambeya et al, ). Given the evidence we present, and the current situation in South Sudan, it is likely that volumes of pangolin trafficking in South Sudan are higher than presented here, which warrants monitoring of both the current state of trafficking and pangolin populations going forward.…”

“…neighbouring countries due to limited and, at certain locations, nonexistent border control. Furthermore, the link to an Asian industry worker in South Sudan is the cause for concern and follows a similar finding in Gabon (Mambeya et al, 2018). Given the evidence we present, and the current situation in South Sudan, it is likely that volumes of pangolin trafficking in South Sudan are higher than presented here, which warrants monitoring of both the current state of trafficking and pangolin populations going forward.…”

Global wildlife trade across the tree of life

“…S2). For instance, as Asian pangolin species decline, they are increasingly replaced by African pangolins in trade, with strength of demand for African pangolin meat and scales in Asia now high despite a relative price increase of 211%, versus 4.6% baseline inflation (25). Based on identified morphological and phylogenetic correlates of trade, we predict an increase between 5% and 57% (probabilities >95% and >90%, respectively) in the total number of traded vertebrate species (Fig.…”

A socio-economic survey of pangolin hunting in Assam, Northeast India

“…A zero export quota for commercial trade in Asian species in 2000 (CITES 2017) led to a shift to target African species [Phataginus and Smutsia spp. (Challender 2011, Challender and Hywood 2012, Mambeya et al 2018, Gomez et al 2016, Heinrich et al 2016, Ingram et al 2017]. In addition, it has also become clear that pangolins in other range states such as India (Mohapatra et al 2015, Choudhary et al 2018, Nepal (Katuwal et al 2015, Thapa et al 2014, Pakistan (Mahmood et al 2017), Bangladesh (Trageser et al 2017) and Myanmar (Zhang et al 2017) are also being targeted by actors involved in the illegal international trade in these species.…”