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Photo: Jane Goodall Institute
AFRICAN PANGOLIN WORKING GROUP

South Africa’s pangolins face rising threat as illegal trade grows

China has proposed a drastic reduction in the use of pangolin scales for traditional medicine

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
A juvenile leopard cat, seized by authorities during an anti-smuggling operation, is seen past suspected smugglers during a press conference announcing the seizure of trafficked exotic animals in Surabaya on March 27, 2019. (Getty)
ADAMS CASSINGA

Facebook is a ‘major enabler’ of illegal trade in wildlife

An Avaaz Investigation shows how its algorithms drag casual users into international wildlife trafficking rabbit hole

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
A pangolin skin is displayed amongst other exotic and illegal animal parts at a stall on February 17, 2016 in Mong La, Myanmar. Mong La, the capital of Myanmar’s Special Region No. 4, is a mostly lawless area where Chinese tourists are able to cross the border for exotic poached animals, gambling, and prostitution. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
AFRICAN PANGOLIN WORKING GROUP

Pangolins pushed to the brink of extinction

The trafficking of scales is no longer a ‘niche’ criminal activity, but a serious and organised crime that threatens to make all eight species extinct within 20 years

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
Fighters: Nicci Wright and her team at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital have six pangolins under their care right now. Rescued from illegal traders, the animals are often ill and need treatment before they can be released. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
AFRICAN PANGOLIN WORKING GROUP

Saving the world’s most trafficked mammal

Covid-19 has led to a surge in local pangolin poaching cases, but saviours keep fighting.

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read