By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
On World Pangolin Day, Wild Africa called for urgent action to protect pangolins from extinction and combat wildlife trafficking. Festus Iyorah, Wild Africa’s Nigeria Representative, warned that pangolins face increasing threats due to demand for their scales and meat.
“Nigeria has become a major global export hub for pangolin scales, accounting for 55% of global pangolin scale seizures between 2016 and 2019,” he said.
Dr. Mark Ofua, spokesperson for Wild Africa, stressed the need for collective action: “It is not too late to change the narrative and reposition Nigeria from being a trafficking hub to a leading protector of pangolins.”
To raise awareness, Wild Africa launched media campaigns, featuring ambassadors like 2Baba and Emmanuella. Nigeria is also advancing legislation with the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, aiming to impose stricter penalties for wildlife trafficking.
Despite these efforts, the global demand for pangolin scales remains high, particularly in China. Peter Knights, CEO of Wild Africa, called for a complete ban, saying, “China must eliminate all pangolin scale use, as viable alternatives exist in traditional medicine.”
Pangolins play a critical role in ecosystems by controlling insect populations and supporting soil health. Wild Africa urges the public to report illegal wildlife trade and support conservation efforts to help protect pangolins and preserve biodiversity.Attach
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