Islamabad Zoo: A media awareness session with the title of ‘ Scale and Scope of Illegal Trade of Endangered Indian Pangolin, Ecological and Economic Benefits and Conservation Efforts in Pakistan’ was held at the Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad, organised by the World Wildlife Federation. The event was attended by many prominent personalities, including Information Senator Faisal Javed.
Saving the Pangolins of Pakistan, Media briefing session. @WildlifeBoard rescued approx. 6-8 individuals of Indian Pangolins from 2017-2020. @WWFPak @rinasaeed @FaisalJavedKhan pic.twitter.com/19lvPb5y3Q
— Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) (@WildlifeBoard) May 5, 2021
The Information Minister stated that it was time that Pakistan worked on conservation efforts and showed the whole world our great ‘wildlife potential’.
Pangolins: The case of the drastically decreasing pangolin populations in Pakistan was discussed. It is understood that while Malaysian and Mangolian pangolins had gone extinct, the population of the Indian pangolin has also gone down by 80%, especially in the Pakistani region.
The main cause for this has been identified as illegal hunting. Previously, persecution by farmers had been a noted cause for pangolin death in Pakistan, however the surge in demand by China’s middle class for pangolin meat has opened doors for large scale illegal trade and hunting of the animal for consumption purposes, signifying the reasoning for the drastic change in population.
Pangolin is endangered animal all over the world. They feed on insects. In Pakistan they are killed and exported to China each for Rs50000. They are killed to get their strong shells which are used in various traditional medicines and also considered as sign of good luck.@WWF pic.twitter.com/s1adtbVhMR
— wahla (@ashxraptor) April 3, 2021
Conservation efforts: WWF Senior Director of Biodiversity Rab Nawaz stated that the hunting of not only pangolins, but all species will have an adverse effect on Pakistan’s ecological system. He said this is happening because the penalties for these practices are small, while the monetary rewards in the market are huge. He also said that stopping smuggling will not solve the issue as by that point the animal is already dead.
Pakistan to protect Indian pangolins https://t.co/H4EijQQ91j pic.twitter.com/DQ19cobbvQ
— 24 News HD (@24NewsHD) May 6, 2021
His solution included educating farmers and others about the role these small animals play, coupled with strict action from law enforcement agencies. Mr. Nawaz was positive that they can achieve the same results they did with the Indus Dolphin and the Markhor, and eventually save the pangolin population of Pakistan.