John,
In some ways, pangolins are funny: They’re the world’s only scaly mammal, they curl into an adorable ball when frightened, and they vaguely resemble a pinecone with legs.
But the threats to their survival are deadly serious. Pangolins are one of the most trafficked animals in the world — and in decline. Despite their precarious status, demand remains high for their meat and scales, which are used in traditional medicine in Asia.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service just proposed to protect pangolins under the Endangered Species Act, a move that would firmly and finally close any U.S. market in these gravely imperiled animals. Protecting pangolins under the Act would also send a strong signal to China, which has been hesitant to fully close its own market for pangolin parts. Tell the Service it’s past time for the United States to protect pangolins as endangered and slam the door shut on pangolin products. |
