Trafficked to Extinction
The News Lens FeatureCriminal syndicates in Africa and Asia are working together — and competing — to meet the seemingly insatiable demand for pangolins in China and other markets. Over 30 journalists from the Global Environmental Reporting Collective investigate how illegal pangolin trafficking is leading the species to become extinct.
Table of contents
Philippine Wildlife Protection Law Fails to Curb Pangolin Trafficking
In the Philippines, the penalties for pangolin trafficking are not severe enough to deter poachers from making profits.
How Did Two Women Attempt to Smuggle Pangolin Scales via Hong Kong?
In Hong Kong, smuggling pangolin scales is a crime punishable with a fine of up to HK$10 million, or roughly US$1.3 million, and up to 10 years in prison.
Indonesia's Pangolin Trafficking Network Resembles Sophisticated Drug Trade
Indonesia's pangolin trafficking network is incredibly sophisticated and some of the transactions have been linked to convicted drug lord Togiman.
China's Medicinal Demands Drive Pangolins to Commercial Extinction
China’s pangolin population has dropped over 90 percent from the 1960s to 2004 due to massive poaching for its meat as a delicacy and its scales for medicinal use.
Taiwanese Researchers Collaborate With Locals In Pangolin Conservation
Criminal syndicates in Africa and Asia are working together — and competing — to meet the seemingly insatiable demand for pangolins in China and other markets. Here's a story of how poachers turned into conservationists in Taiwan.