A university in China says that pangolins could potentially be an intermediate host of the Covid-19 coronavirus. — StarGraphics
If we don’t care that the ongoing illegal trade in pangolins threatens their very existence, perhaps humankind will pay attention to a more self-interested reason to stop trafficking in these mammals: they are potentially an intermediary host for the Covid-19 virus.
All eight species of the pangolin are protected under Appendix 1 of Cites (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which means a complete ban on any kind of trade. However, this has not stopped increasing numbers of pangolins being poached for trade.
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Gallery: The illegal pangolin trade
A university in China says that pangolins could potentially be an intermediate host of the Covid-19 coronavirus. — StarGraphics
(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 30,2017, a juvenile Sunda pangolin feeds on termites at the Singapore Zoo. - The endangered pangolin may be the link that facilitated the spread of the novel coronavirus across China, Chinese scientists said on February 7,2020. Researchers at the South China Agricultural University have identified the scaly mammal as a "potential intermediate host, " the university said in a statement, without providing further details. (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/ AFP)
The fetus of a baby pangolin preserved in wine, believed to be in Vietnam.
A dish made up of pangolin meat, believed to be in Africa.
Seized: A batch of the pangolin scales seized at KLIA. On June 9, customs enforcers seized 288kg of pangolin scales valued at RM3.68mil. ROHAIZAT MD DARUS/STAR.
FILE PHOTO: Chinese customs officials inspect scales of pangolins they seized on a ship in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China November 29,2017. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT.
Pangolin scales being openly offered for sale in a Facebook group believed to be based in China. All eight species are now threatened with extinction, according to IUCN while the pangolin species in Malaysia, the Sunda Pangolin, is classified as critically endangered. In 2016, all eight species were put under Appendix 1 of CITES, which means trade of the animal and its parts are banned. (PLEASE DO NOT USE UNLESS ALL PERSONAL DETAILS ARE BLURRED OUT).
Pangolin scales being openly offered for sale in a Facebook group believed to be based in China. All eight species are now threatened with extinction, according to IUCN while the pangolin species in Malaysia, the Sunda Pangolin, is classified as critically endangered. In 2016, all eight species were put under Appendix 1 of CITES, which means trade of the animal and its parts are banned. (PLEASE DO NOT USE UNLESS ALL PERSONAL DETAILS ARE BLURRED OUT).
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