Pangolins are small mammals covered in scales that live in countries across south-east Asia and southern, western, and central Africa. They are cautious animals that will roll into an extremely tight ball when threatened and mostly feed on ants, termites, and other insects.
Pangolin trafficking is when these creatures are taken out of their natural habitats and sold on the black market. This illegal trade is most common in low-income communities where it is a way for people to make money to provide for their families. Sadly, pangolin trafficking is a growing problem that has global effects.
Pangolin trafficking has a significant impact on the food chain as pangolin numbers decrease and ant and termite populations increase. Pangolins are natural pest controllers, and without them, ants and termites would eat crops and deplete food storage. This illegal trade also poses a threat to biodiversity as pangolins play a vital role in shaping the ecosystem. Additionally, pangolin trafficking requires extensive funding that could be better used to address other issues such as world hunger and pollution.
To stop pangolin trafficking, it is important to create awareness, promote conservation, and decrease demand. Enforcing security measures and planning pangolin conservation can also help prevent this illegal trade. Donating to conservation organizations like PCRF and WCN is another way to support the protection of pangolins. Finally, it is crucial to avoid buying illegal products to help prevent pangolin trafficking.
In summary, pangolin trafficking is a severe issue that the planet is facing nowadays. If we don't take further actions, pangolins will go extinct in the next ten years.
I chose this topic for my PYP exhibition because I was very interested in pangolin conservation and I wanted to help spread awareness and support pangolins.
Aman Wolf Grade 5a
