pangolin Archives - Marketplace

The pangolin black market is fueled by its scales, not its good looks

by Kimberly Adams

May 15, 2019

Pangolin scales are in demand primarily for traditional Chinese medicine.

A baby Sunda pangolin nicknamed 'Sandshrew' is taken out for feeding by Serena Oh, assistant director and head vet of Veterinary Services in Wildlife Reserves Singapore, at the Singapore Zoo on June 30, 2017. Sandshrew was brought to the Wildlife Health and Research Centre on January 16, reportedly found stranded in the Upper Thomson area by a member of the public. Sunda pangolins are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED