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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Pangolin Trafficking: 2011 to August 2013 [Infographic] (via Annamiticus)
Updated figures for global pangolin trafficking suggest that between 91,390 and 182,780 pangolins were victims of the illegal trade during the period of 2011 through August 1, 2013. Between 1,740 and 3,480 pangolins are likely to have met their demise…
Malaysia: 6 Pangolin Traffickers Sentenced to Jail (via Annamiticus)
Six pangolin traffickers were sentenced to prison in Malaysia for “unlawful possession and illegal confinement” of 150 pangolins. The smugglers were identified as Mazlan Razaki, his brother Muhammad Rizal, Nazeri Hassan, Oon Eng Beng, Muhammad Aidi…
Four Pangolin Smuggling Busts in Four Countries in 10 Days (via Annamiticus)
It seems that no pangolin population is safe from the deadly illegal trade: During the final ten days of April 2013, pangolins and scales were seized in the Philippines, India, Cameroon, and France. On April 20th — just days after the shocking discovery of 2,000 frozen pangolins on a Chinese fishing…
Pangolin Trafficking: 2011 to April 2013 [Infographic] (via Annamiticus)
A conservative estimate of pangolin trafficking from 2011 through April 20th, 2013, suggests that more than 100,000 of these small mammals could have been killed in less than three years. Since most illegal wildlife trade is undetected, we based our estimate on seizures reported by the media for the…
Philippines: Thousands of Frozen Pangolins Discovered on Chinese Ship (via Annamiticus)
A Chinese fishing vessel which ran aground in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Philippines, was carrying 400 boxes of frozen pangolins in its cargo hold. Each box reportedly contained 25 to 30 pangolins. The 12 Chinese fishermen aboard the ship were taken into custody…