Mission in Nigeria: Protecting the pangolin
An organization in the country has rescued around 100 of these mammals from illegal trafficking and has joined forces for conservation and education about the species
During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Ivy was carted away into a rural bushmeat market in Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria, and was ready for sale by her poachers when she was saved by the Pangolin Conservation Working Group of Nigeria (PCWGN), an NGO at the forefront of efforts to save scaly pangolins in the wild across the nation.
Since its creation in February 2016, PCWGN has rescued around 100 pangolins like Ivy that were set to be trafficked illegally in Nigeria.
Oladipo Omotosho, spokesperson for the organization, explains to EL PAÍS that most of the captured animals would have had their skins removed, exported, and passed off as an ingredient to be used in traditional Chinese medicine if not for the work of the nonprofit. All this despite the fact that, in 2021, Chinese pharmaceutical authorities removed pangolin scales from the list of authorized ingredients.
The PCWGN is a community of zoologists, veterinarians, animal scientists and undergraduates who aim to build a space for the endangered species to thrive. They carry out research and organize programs to raise awareness about the need for conserving the animal and the dangers of becoming involved in wildlife smuggling.
“We observed that the high level of poverty in some of these communities where pangolins are mostly found, coupled with the existing demand for pangolins, is a challenge we face,” says Omotosho. “To deal with this, we are promoting a campaign with a mission to convince people to see the need for wildlife conservation. We want people to stop poaching and illegal trade.”
PCWGN, which is chaired by professor Olajumoke Morenikeji of the University of Ibadan, partners with hunters, bushmeat sellers, rangers and “repentant” poachers to track down captured animals and then offer those involved an incentive to curb the illicit hunting.
After rescuing a pangolin, the group conducts an initial evaluation to determine its health condition and to see what treatment to administer. A more thorough health assessment is carried out later to determine the appropriate veterinary and nursing care they require. They are rehabilitated before they are released back into the wild in protected forest areas.
“We consider it as a noble duty that we owe to nature to play our part in preserving biodiversity. It is necessary that different organizations, the national government, and even citizens rise whenever occasion calls for the creation of a safe space for pangolins against illegal wildlife trafficking,” explains Morenikeji. “Pangolins contribute to the health of the soil and control insect populations but unfortunately there is demand for their parts for various purposes, with significant demand from Asia leading to international trafficking. They are presently the most-trafficked mammal globally.”
“The responsibility for conserving wildlife rests with all of us. Each individual has a role to play in protecting the Earth and its resources for our benefit and our children. Pangolins, like other animals, are gentle creatures and quite harmless and need to be saved,” Omotosho stresses.
Serious decline
Although the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) banned all international trade in pangolin specimens in 2016, the mammal remains severely threatened in Nigeria, which, despite efforts to combat illegal trade, remains a central hub for trafficking in the animals. In response, agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) are taking further steps to curb organized crime.
In October 2023, the BBC reported that the country burnt $1.4m worth of pangolin scales in a stand against illegal trafficking. According to the officials, it is the first time the nation has publicly destroyed seized wildlife products for this reason. But this development only came after repeated letters by the PGCN addressed to the national government urging it to take this action.
Following the landmark decision, the NCS continues to detain suspects arrested in connection with the illegal trade while confiscating animal skins, mostly acting on intelligence reports by locals, partner organizations, and other security methods.
On December 5, 2024, an operation led by NCS with the support of the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) resulted in the seizure of 2,179 tons of scales, equivalent to around 1,100 pangolins, and the arrest of a suspected scale broker. “The scale of this seizure and the arrest of a key broker sends a powerful message that Nigeria is resolute in its fight against wildlife trafficking,” Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Executive Director of the WJC, said in a statement.
Charles Egomor, a Nigerian scientist with a PhD background on pangolins from the University of Cambridge, says the pangolin population has plummeted across Africa, which is a major cause of the decline in global biodiversity. “And this speaks a lot to animals exploited by so many people largely around the tropics. But, their killing is illegal and indiscriminate. These animals are highly trafficked to Asia because of the demand for its skins. Despite how illegal the trade is, it is still happening.,” Egomor explains.
“We could look beyond enforcing the laws. We should promote and support communities to do conservation, without them feeling they’re being forced to do so. Nigeria has done a lot in recent years with arrests and prosecution, but we can diversify our efforts to community-based approaches,” he adds.
The PCWGN says it needs more administrative support and space to carry out its research and rehabilitation work. According to Omotosho, the group “intends to use its 3.5 acres of land situated inside the University of Ibadan for this purpose. We have worked on its first phase and when completed, we will commence our work there to enhance pangolin conservation.”
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