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Report claims twelve pangolins were seized and two men arrested, after being chased by Malaysian authorities.

Malaysia’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks — more commonly known as Perhilitan — has reportedly arrested two men after they were found with a dozen defenseless pangolins in the rear of their vehicle.

According to Utusan Malaysia, the six-man Perhilitan team first encountered the suspects early Saturday morning, when the alleged pangolin smugglers fled the scene.

The wildlife officials purportedly chased the men for several kilometers before they were able to apprehend the duo.

The arrestees are in custody and are being investigated for violating Malaysia’s Wildlife Conservation Act of 2010.

Illicit cargo destined for black market in other countries

Twelve pangolins were found in the boot of the vehicle, curled up and tied inside bags.

Perhilitan believes the suspects intended to smuggle the animals out of the country, where they would be sold in the black market trade.

Pangolins in high demand

The scaly anteaters are in high demand in East and Southeast Asia, predominantly in China and Vietnam, where the flesh of adults and fetuses are consumed as delicacies and their scales are used to make traditional medicines.

Pangolin scales are mainly composed of keratin — the same protein that makes up our own hair and nails, horse hooves, and rhino horn.

There is no scientific evidence to support any of the medicinal claims made about pangolin body parts.

Read more about the illegal pangolin trade here.

Author: Sarah Pappin. Read more about Sarah here.

Image: © iStockphoto.com

You can help the scaly anteaters by getting a pangolin t-shirt. We’re contributing $2.00 from each purchase of a t-shirt or hoodie to Education for Nature-Vietnam, which is fighting the illegal wildlife trade — including that of pangolins!