In the What on Earth? podcast, Adams Cassinga, founder of Conserv Congo discusses the affects of wildlife poaching in the DRC and the changes needed to reduce this threat.
The shy and harmless Pangolin is one of the species under threat in the DRC. Did you know pangolins are the most trafficked animal in the world? They are wanted for their scales which are comprised of the same material as our nails; keratin. Similar to rhino horn, the scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine for things like arthritis, but do not have any medicinal value.
There are eight species of pangolins, four of which are found in Asia and four are found in Africa. All of the eight species populations are threatened due to illegal trafficking. For many years the Asian pangolins were the most heavily trafficked but since their population is in such decline, the African pangolin is now a heavy target by poachers and wildlife traffickers.
Just recently, two tons of pangolin scales were seized in a DRC airport.
To learn more of what Conserv Congo and other conservationists are doing to fight against wildlife trafficking of endangered species, please listen in to this What on Earth? podcast;
Photo courtesy of Louis Mornaud on Unsplash
