The agency says the small scaly mammal is “the most trafficked mammal in the world.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed improved protections for pangolins this week, seeking to add seven new species of the strange mammal to the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Four of the species being considered for protection are Asian and three are African.
“Pangolins are particularly vulnerable to wildlife trafficking due to their slow and peaceful demeanor,” the FWS said, adding that “with limited defenses beyond their scaly exteriors, they often roll into a ball when threatened.”
There are no pangolins native to the United States, but non-native species are regularly added to the list to prevent illicit trafficking of animals within the country. In this case, pangolins are prized as ingredients in Chinese medicine. Due to this, all species of pangolin are on the brink of extinction after mass hunting and trafficking.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Director Paul Souza to be led by the Lord as he heads the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- For Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to be discerning as he manages the Interior Department and all its agencies.
Sources: MSN, AP News, DevDiscourse, E&E News
