Pangolin Trafficking: Over 8,000 Pangolins Seized in 2013 (via Annamiticus)
2013 was another deadly year for pangolins, with an estimated 8,125 of these shy creatures confiscated in 49 instances of illegal trade across 13 countries. Because seizures represent just 10 to 20 percent of the actual illegal trade volume, this strongly…
47 Pangolins, 100 Critically Endangered Turtles Rescued in Myanmar (via Annamiticus)
Encouraging news from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN): 47 pangolins and 100 Arakan Forest Turtles confiscated by police in Myanmar have been rescued. The pangolins have been released into the wild…
122 Live Pangolins Seized in Thailand, One in Zimbabwe (via Annamiticus)
Thai customs officials intercepted the smuggling of 122 live pangolins, which were stowed away in sacks inside an SUV, and believed to be headed for China. It is thought that the pangolins were captured in Indonesia and/or Malaysia. The incident occurred…
Pangolin Scales Seized in Hong Kong, 2 Arrested [Photos] (via Annamiticus)
Hong Kong Customs foiled a pangolin smuggling operation on October 30, 2013, when a “suspicious” fishing vessel was observed leaving the port of Tap Shek Kok. Officers gave chase and intercepted the vessel near the island of Sha Chau. In addition…
Indonesia: Pangolin Smugglers Doing Their Dirty Work [Photos] (via Annamiticus)
A series of disturbing photos taken on October 21, 2013, shows pangolin traffickers operating at the Denpasar Bird Market (pasar burung) in Bali, Indonesia. This incident was reported to Annamiticus by a concerned witness who photographed the pangolins…
Pangolin Trafficking: 2011 to October 2013 [Infographic] (via Annamiticus)
During the months of August through October 2013, at least 2,804 pangolins were recorded in 15 pangolin trafficking incidents across seven countries. This conservative figure represents both live and dead pangolins, as well as pangolin scales, destined…
Historical Conviction in Zimbabwe for Pangolin Trafficker (via Annamiticus)
A pangolin trafficker identified as Mr. Danisa Mloyi was prosecuted to the full extent of the law in Zimbabwe, receiving an unprecedented nine-year prison term. Mloyi was sentenced under Chapter 20:14 Parks and Wildlife Act of Zimbabwe, Section 45 and…
102 Live Pangolins Confiscated in Thailand, Pangolin Scales Seized in India (via Annamiticus)
In a span of less than five days, two pangolin trafficking incidents were reported in two countries: On September 1, 2013, police in Khon Kaen seized 102 pangolins from a pickup truck owned by Pornchai Sangsila, a native of Samut Songkhram. This follows…
Olympic Gold Medalist Kirsty Coventry Takes Up Cause of ‘Underdog’ African Species (via Annamiticus)
Zimbabwe’s top Olympian Kirsty Coventry has partnered with the Tikki Hywood Trust as an ambassador for Africa’s relatively unknown species, such as the pangolin, bat-eared fox, and serval. Known affectionately as “Zimbabwe’s Golden Girl“,…
Over 6 Tons of Pangolins Seized in Vietnam Port (via Annamiticus)
Customs officials in the Vietnamese port city of Hai Phong have seized 6.2 tonnes (nearly 7 tons) of pangolins which were discovered in a 40-foot cargo container shipped from Indonesia. This horrifying haul may have contained more than 800 pangolins…