Sadly, it seems the number seven wasn’t so lucky for pangolins this week, as seven kilograms of their scales were seized in Nepal, another seven kg of scales were seized in the Philippines, and a business called ‘Lucky 7’ was found fronting for an illegal pangolin trade operation.
Nepalese police arrested two men found smuggling seven kilograms of pangolin scales in Nepal only days after Palawan officials apprehended three Chinese nationals running an illicit pangolin trade operation out of their ‘junk shop’ front business.
Including this week’s incidents, there have been a minimum of six pangolin busts in just the first three weeks of the year, which span at least four countries worldwide.
The fourteen kilos of scales seized in the two incidents could represent 10-14 individual pangolins, which pales in comparison to the 180 pangolins confiscated in Thailand late last week.
‘Lucky 7’ junk shop’s dirty little secret
When the Philippines’ Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) raided the ‘Lucky 7’ junk shop located in Puerto Princesa earlier this week, they may have hit a jackpot.
ABS-CBN News reports that authorities discovered that the business was serving as a front for an illegal pangolin trade operation and arrested three Chinese nationals in connection with the crimes.
Seven kilograms of pangolin scales were also purportedly seized in the bust.
Police believe the trio may have been sourcing the rare mammals’ protective scales from the Philippine towns of Makini and Taytay and then exporting them to Manila, Binondo, and China (the world leader in pangolin consumption).
The men are accused of violating the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act and have already posted bail at the pitiful tune of P10,000 (nearly US $230) each.
Although another Chinese national was arrested for similar activities just last week, it’s unclear if the two incidents are connected.
The CIDG has recommended that ‘Lucky 7’ be shut down.
Only a single species of scaly anteater — the Philippine pangolin — can be found in the Philippines, which is endemic to the island nation.
Currently listed as ‘near threatened‘, an increase in poaching of this species could be explained by severe reductions in the now endangered Chinese and Sunda pangolin populations caused mainly by overhunting.
The report does not indicate if the scales seized from the junk shop were that of Philippines pangolins; however, given that the country is a known transit route for wildlife smuggling, it’s possible they could’ve come from any of the world’s eight pangolin species.
More scales seized in Nepal
The Himalayan Times reports that Nepal Police apprehended two suspects yesterday, after another seven kilograms of pangolin scales were discovered in their vehicle.
The pair were said to be en route to Kathmandu from Hetaunda, when they were stopped for a security check.
Each of the suspects apparently face imprisonment for up to fifteen years, a fine of no more than NPR 1 Lakh (roughly US $1,231), or both.
Nepal is known to be both a source of pangolins entering the illicit trade and a route used by smugglers to deliver wildlife contraband to markets in China.
Pangolin crisis worsens
As an estimated 40,000 (and perhaps as many as 60,000) pangolins were poached from the wild in 2011 alone, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that the insatiable demand for these animals’ flesh, skin, scales, blood, and other body parts is the leading factor driving the defenseless creatures toward extinction.
The demand for scaly anteaters stems primarily from China and Vietnam, where the flesh of adults and fetuses is considered a delicacy and traditional Chinese medicine consumers superstitiously believe ingesting concoctions derived from pangolin scales can reduce swelling, improve liver function, promote weight loss, stimulate blood circulation, and enhance lactation in breast-feeding women, among other things.
There is no scientific evidence to support any of the medicinal claims made about pangolin body parts.
Rhino horn and pangolin scales, much like our own hair and nails, are chiefly composed of keratin and studies have repeatedly shown rhino horn to be void of any curative properties.
A recent Project Pangolin discovery suggests that demand for pangolin parts is likely being stimulated by lucrative pangolin farming ventures in China. (Read more about it here.)
Author: Sarah Pappin. Read more about Sarah here.
Image compiled by author; photo inset © Pam Krzyza
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