Photo: Lisa Thompson/Coconuts Media. Today, because of habitat destruction and hunting (pangolin scales are used in Chinese and African medicine), the three Asian species and one of the African species of pangolin are considered endangered. WISE pangolin seizures coming from Today, demand for pangolins in Asia is being supplied by pangolins from Africa. When not in use, it rolls back into a special sheath in the pangolin’s chest cavity. Pangolin are active and feed at night. Pangolin scales — armor-like, keratin-based plates that cover a pangolin’s body — are still being used in medicines sold and produced by Chinese companies, a new report has found. Some are arboreal, living in trees; others live in burrows. If under threat, a pangolin will immediately curl into a tight ball and will use their sharp-scaled tails to defend themselves. Between 1994 and 2000, almost nineteen tons of pangolin scales (accounting for roughly forty-seven thousand pangolins) were exported from Malaysia for use in … Pangolin scales are used in traditional Asian medicine, particularly in China and Vietnam. The roots of pangolin scale usage in TCM goes back to 16 th century Ming dynasty in China. Their scales have been used for millennia in Asian medicine. The rage in colonial India, a coat made of pangolin scales painted with gold was presented as a gift to King George III. They are the only mammals wholly-covered in scales and they use those scales to protect themselves from predators in the wild. Pangolin meat is considered a delicacy in China and Vietnam and their scales are used in traditional medicines. Pangolins are the only mammals in the world covered in scales. Their meat is also consumed as part of local traditions in parts of Africa and Asia and in some cases is a key source of protein while their leather has been used in fashion in the USA. Pangolins feed only on burrowing social insects, such as ants and termites. China has at least 400 years of history in using pangolin scales for medicine. However, China still allows Chinese pangolin scales, from stockpiles acquired before pangolins had this protection, to be used for traditional chinese medicines (TCM). What’s scaly from tip to tail and can curl into a ball? China has officially removed pangolin scales from its 2020 list of approved ingredients used in traditional Chinese medicine, multiple media outlets report. Pangolin scales have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine, but they were removed just weeks ago from the official 2020 list of ingredients approved for use, a change lauded by campaigners. In 2019 alone, Chinese customs confiscated an enormous 123 tons of pangolin scales. 'Medicinal' uses of pangolin scales Pangolin scales and parts are ingredients in nearly 500 prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine , many of which date back centuries. A startled pangolin will cover its head with its front legs, exposing its scales to any potential predator. They're also in high demand, and that drives up their value. Misleading medicine. On the underside, the scales were less smooth, with ingrained dirt and staining visible. Chinese star Angelababy is featured in a pangolin campaign PSA and billboards distributed throughout mainland China. Pangolin scales have been used to make armor. Pangolin scales — armor-like, keratin-based plates that cover a pangolin’s body — are still being used in medicines sold and produced by Chinese companies, a new report has found. These solitary, primarily nocturnal animals, are easily recognized by their full armor of scales. KATHMANDU, Dec 1: Two people were apprehended with pangolin scales from Maitidevi in the capital. These scales are made from keratin — the same protein that forms human hair and fingernails. In fact, pangolin scales have become common in wildlife contraband seizures destined for Asian markets. Despite promises to ban the illegal trade of pangolins, the Chinese government continues to allow the use of pangolin scales for traditional medicine, according to a report from a watchdog agency. Corruption has made Nigeria the biggest smuggler of ivory and pangolin scales from central and West Africa to Asia, according to a report by the Environmental Investigation Agency. Pangolins! The Chinese pangolin is listed on Appendix I of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which prohibits the international trade of pangolin scales. A team of police from the Metropolitan Police Circle, Singha Durbar arrested the duo when they were supplying pangolin scale from a reserved taxi (Ba 2 Ja 657). When roasted, ... That 1.4 tonne shipment of pangolin scales represented around 3000 dead animals. And have even been used to simply make coats. “Now this announcement, effectively closing the legal sales of pangolin scales, shuts the last major loophole in pangolin protection efforts.” Pangolins have the dubious distinction of being the most trafficked wild mammal in the world and with Asia’s native species being pushed towards extinction, an increase in shipments from Africa has emerged. Pangolin scales — armor-like, keratin-based plates that cover a pangolin’s body — are still being used in medicines sold and produced by Chinese companies, a new report has found. In both regions, pangolins are killed for their meat 5 and their scales, which have been used medicinally.6 Pangolin products have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat a wide range of ailments. But a history spanning thousands of years emphasizes the use of pangolin scales to cure lactation issues in women. The pangolin has been poached almost to extinction for its scales, used widely in Chinese herbal medicine, but it may also help answer some of the … Pangolins are the world's only scaly mammals ©Paul Hilton for WildAid. Yet, there is no scientific evidence in modern medicine to show that pangolin scales … The scales are believed to be able to treat conditions such as breast milk stoppage, rheumatoid arthritis, sores and boils. Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal species in the world, and it’s thought that they could be responsible for the transmission of the novel coronavirus to humans. The Chinese government continues to allow the use of pangolin scales for traditional medicine despite promises to crack down on a trade that … Since pangolin scales have so many uses on the black market, opportunistic sellers can always make a quick buck from them. They have the ability to curl up into a ball to protect themselves from large predators. Being the most trafficked mammal their scales are made up of 20% of their weight. Overlapping like artichoke leaves, the scales grow throughout the life of a pangolin just like hair; scale edges are constantly filed down as pangolins dig burrows and tunnel through the soil in search of termites and ants. This animal has no teeth, but uses a long and sticky tongue to eat ants and termites – their favorite food in the wild. During this time, the Chinese scientific naturalist Li Shizhen consolidated a written text with methods to produce 1,800 medicines using plants and animals. The Pangolin scales used were firm and smooth with pronounced grooves running along the top aspect of the scale from root to tip. Featured image: A man holds a pangolin at a wild animal rescue center in Cuc Phuong, outside Hanoi, Vietnam September 12, 2016. Fraudulent shipping paperwork is used to conceal what is actually being transported; pangolin scales and ivory have been exported under the guise of frozen beef, auto parts, seeds, cashew nuts, and ginger, while ivory has been smuggled within shipments of wood and even concealed inside hollowed-out timber. It is on display at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. That extra-long and dexterous tongue is an expert ant-catching tool. In a show which aired on a Guangdong TV channel, a TCM doctor taught people how to prepare a soup with pangolin scales to enhance breast milk. Pangolin scales are used in traditional medicine . Pangolin skin is also used for its leather, while their meat is considered a delicacy. The scales are made of keratin, the same substance in human fingernails, and are incredibly tough. If touched or grabbed it will roll up completely into a ball, while the sharp scales on the tail can be used to lash out. Photo: Reuters/Kham. When they are threatened, pangolins would roll into a ball (like armadillos do, and what Pavlov certainly did), to hide their vulnerable belly and other parts their tough scales don’t cover. A poster for WildAid's #SaveThePangolin campaign . Think of pangolin scales like tiger pelts or rhino horns; the more that they're rare, special, exotic, and “thrillingly” illegal, the more that people want them. Although the Chinese government passed the Wild Animal Protection Law in 1998 — effectively stopping the trade in pangolin meat — the legislation made a critical exception allowing the use of nationally protected animals in scientific research, captive breeding, and traditional medicine. They are believed to have curative properties; however, pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same material that makes human fingernails and hair, and have no proven medicinal value.