History of Pangolin in Timeline
Pangolins, also called scaly anteaters, are the only mammals in the order Pholidota. They are divided into three genera (Manis, Phataginus, and Smutsia) and nine species, found in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Pangolins range in size from 30 to 100 cm and are known for their protective scales. Several extinct pangolin species have also been identified.
1989: Taiwan Enacts Wildlife Conservation Act
Taiwan took a significant stride in pangolin protection by implementing the Wildlife Conservation Act in 1989.
November 2010: Pangolins Added to ZSL's Endangered List
In November 2010, the Zoological Society of London added pangolins to their list of evolutionarily distinct and endangered mammals.
April 2013: Massive Pangolin Meat Seizure in the Philippines
In April 2013, authorities seized a staggering 10,000 kg of pangolin meat from a grounded Chinese vessel in the Philippines, highlighting the scale of illegal trafficking.
July 2014: Launch of "Scaling Up Pangolin Conservation" Action Plan
July 2014 witnessed the initiation of a comprehensive global action plan named "Scaling Up Pangolin Conservation" by the IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group to enhance pangolin conservation efforts.
August 2016: Indonesian Man Arrested in Pangolin Trafficking Bust
August 2016 saw the arrest of an Indonesian man who was caught with over 650 pangolins in freezers at his residence, exposing the cruelty of the trade.
2017: Jackie Chan Champions Pangolin Conservation
Jackie Chan lent his voice to pangolin conservation in 2017 through a public service announcement titled "WildAid: Jackie Chan & Pangolins (Kung Fu Pangolin)."
2018: China Overtaken by Vietnam in Pangolin Trafficking
China, previously the primary destination for pangolin trafficking, was surpassed by Vietnam in 2018.
2018: Chinese NGO Initiates "Counting Pangolins" Movement
In a bid to combat pangolin trafficking, a Chinese NGO launched the "Counting Pangolins" movement in 2018.
2019: Vietnam's Pangolin Scale Seizures Surge
Vietnam seized the largest volume of pangolin scales globally in 2019, exceeding Nigeria's seizures.
January 2020: Eight Pangolin Species Listed as Threatened
As of January 2020, eight pangolin species were classified within the threatened tier due to poaching and habitat loss.
December 2020: Hope for Philippine Pangolin Conservation
A December 2020 study offered a glimmer of hope for Philippine pangolins, indicating that conservation endeavors could still be effective.
2020: Discovery of Novel RNA Viruses in Pangolins
In 2020, two previously unknown RNA viruses, Dongyang pangolin virus (DYPV) and Lishui pangolin virus (LSPV), were identified in deceased pangolins.
2020: Pangolin Scales Removed from Chinese Pharmacopoeia
The beginning of 2020 marked a significant step as pangolin scales were excluded from the official pharmacopoeia of China.
September 2023: Nine Species of Pangolins Reported
In September 2023, the existence of nine distinct species of pangolins was officially reported.