Extinction Of Pangolins!??

Hello everyone. I want to share some tragic news with you all. Not to disappoint but to BE AWARE. Knowing what is going on around your community, town, and world helps you understand there is more than just your personal problems or late night tv show airing. It builds your awareness to step outside of yourself and to see the world as a whole instead of being trapped or confined in your own little hole.

With that being said, let me explain what a Pangolin is! Above is a picture of a beautiful Pangolin. These animals are scaly from tip to tail! These gorgeous creatures are indigenous to Asian countries. Their habitat is in Forests and large grasslands, they are nocturnal creatures so they only come out at night to hunt for food. They eat all sorts of insects it is their main choice of cuisine.

Last night while in bed, I came across a new series on Netflix called The Traffickers. The show is about an international traveling journalist who reports illegal and wrongful activities in the world. Most of her findings are linked to the evil black market, an underground economy that is exploiting illegal animals and even humans. With so many episodes to choose from I selected the one about Pangolins. I was curious to watch this because I did not know what a Pangolin was! And oh boy, was I in for an awakening. I have heard about the infamous black market before but this was a great reminder that it still exists. I am going to continue to watch the other episodes to learn more about international black market activities. So now let me digress what I have learned about the sad and insidious issue with the Pangolins.

According to the WWF, or World Wildlife Organization, these animals are labeled as critically endangered due to illegal trafficking. It is illegal to capture and sell pangolins in Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and some other southeast Asian countries. The demand for Pangolin in these countries calls for a mass supply of these animals. According to World Watch Institute, "They have become the most frequently seized mammal in Asia's illegal wildlife trade." They are forcing this animal to critical extinction! The culinary meat and supposedly medicinal properties is the reason for the high demand. Even though there is a ban to stop capturing these animals, making it illegal with a 10 year sentence in jail, traders, now called illegal traffickers, has not worked. It has made it worse now that it is getting traded in the international black market.
Pangolin meat is a prized delicacy in parts of China and Vietnam. In Vietnam, the meat is sold to many tourists and citizens illegally. They can charge as much as $150 per pound of Pangolin meat!!! How crazy does that sound!!???
If you don't believe me, GO WATCH THE SHOW THE TRAFFICKERS ON NETFLIX! The journalist used hidden cameras

and went undercover to only discover that it is sadly true. The fact that it is illegal doesn't subtract distaste for these animals, it only makes it even more special and attractive because it adds an element of living beyond the law.
The documenary show on Netflix gives a much profound perspective on this phenomenon. please go watch and inform yourself so the next time you travel you know what not to order on the menu. And if you don't have Netflix or don't know anyone who can let you use their Netflix, then if you want more information click these links down below and watch this video on Youtube to research for yourself.

Thank you for taking the time to read this far. If you liked this article by me please follow me and upvote this post! leave comments below to share what you know.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangolin_trade

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/pangolin

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/26549963

http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6198