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An update to last week’s pangolin seizures.


A Chinese national identified as Yefan Huang has been arrested by authorities in Palawan, Philippines. Huang is believed to be responsible for slaughtering hundreds of pangolins (scaly anteaters) in order to profit from the thriving illegal trade in this species.

Philippine news site ABS-CBN reports that the pangolin scales and flesh confiscated last week at Puerto Princesa city airport were Huang’s illicit handiwork.

The gruesome cargo was said to be destined for “Chinese restaurants in Manila or abroad”.

Two of Huang’s associates escaped, and a teenaged Tagbanua girl was also found at his residence.

Huang will face charges of violating the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

Pangolin populations plummeting

It is estimated that around 40,000 pangolins were killed last year to satisfy a seemingly insatiable Chinese appetite for pangolin scales, flesh and fetuses, which are believed to have medicinal properties, despite a lack of scientific evidence to support such notions.

Pangolin scales and flesh were recently found for sale on China’s top eCommerce website, Alibaba.

U.S. internet portal Yahoo! Inc. currently owns 40 percent of Alibaba, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.

Author: Rhishja Larson. Learn more about Rhishja here.