World Pangolin Day is celebrated yearly on the third Saturday of February; this year’s celebration is on February 18. The purpose of this day is to honour pangolins, promote awareness, and recommit international non-governmental organisations to the battle against the global capture of pangolins in Africa and Asia.
An estimated one million of these magnificent creatures have been and continue to be harvested from the wild in African and Asian nations to meet the enormous demand for their scale, skin, blood, and even foetuses, which are believed to have multiple purposes in fashion, traditional medicine, and cookery.
HISTORY OF WORLD PANGOLIN DAY
World Pangolin Day is celebrated yearly to promote public awareness and recommit international organisations to the battle against the global pangolin trade. The world’s only completely scaly mammals.
The day is an opportunity for pangolin aficionados and the broader human society to raise awareness about the predicament of these unique species, whose populations in Asia and Africa are rapidly dwindling.
Pangolins are a highly valued commodity that are frequently unlawfully captured, transported, and slaughtered for their scales by organised crime networks to supply the traditional medicine industry in Asia, where pangolin scales are sadly believed to be a panacea and pangolin flesh is considered a delicacy.
In Vietnam, Central Africa, and the southern regions of West Africa, pangolin meat is frequently served in restaurants catering to wealthy patrons who consider it a status symbol and delicacy.
When startled, a pangolin may roll into a tight ball to protect its delicate underside, making it an ideal target for poachers.
In 52 seizures between 2016 and 2019, an estimated 206.4 tonnes of pangolin scales, or the equivalent of approximately 360,000 pangolins, were intercepted and confiscated, according to a report by the Wildlife Justice Commission, an international foundation established in the Netherlands with the mission to disrupt and assist in dismantling organised transnational criminal wildlife trading networks.
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What is a Pangolin?
A pangolin is a mammal of the order Pholidota, the only member of the family Manidae. Pangolins are typically covered in tough scales made of keratin, which protect them from predators. They are found in tropical regions of Africa and Asia.
Pangolins are nocturnal animals that spend most of their time in trees, eating ants and termites. They have long tongues that they use to lick up their prey. They are also proficient swimmers. When threatened, pangolins can curl up into a tight ball, protecting their scales and vulnerable body parts.
Pangolins are hunted for their meat and for their scales, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Unfortunately, this has led to a decline in pangolin populations in recent years. Thankfully, there is growing awareness of the plight of these creatures, and efforts are being made to protect them.
The Different Species of Pangolins
There are eight different species of pangolins, all of which are endangered. The most well-known species is the Chinese pangolin, which is found in China, Vietnam, and Laos. Other species include the Indian pangolin, found in India and Sri Lanka; the Philippine pangolin, found in the Philippines; the Malayan pangolin, found in Malaysia and Indonesia; and the African pangolin, found in sub-Saharan Africa.
Pangolins are nocturnal creatures that spend most of their time in trees or burrows. They are covered in scales made of keratin, which protect them from predators. Pangolins rely on their long tongues to reach into tree crevices and termite mounds to eat ants and termites.
Conclusion
World Pangolin Day provides us with an opportunity to increase our awareness of these remarkable animals and the threats they face. By getting involved, we can help protect pangolins by donating to conservation efforts, learning more about their habitats, and advocating for better protection policies. Let’s use this World Pangolin Day as a way to come together in support of these amazing creatures!
WORLD PANGOLIN DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | February 19 | Saturday |
| 2023 | February 18 | Saturday |
| 2024 | February 17 | Saturday |
| 2025 | February 15 | Saturday |
| 2026 | February 21 | Saturday |
