By Robert Zvidza
A pangolin is captured from the wild, either to be killed or sold, every five minutes in the world. In fact, they are the most smuggled animal in the world, and the Asian markets have a share in this “distinction”.
This quote extracted from a wildlife magazine Star2.com in 2017, reveals the threat pangolins have across the world and Zimbabwe in particular.
The 10th anniversary of the World Pangolin Day celebrations was held early this year and Zimbabwe joined other nations in celebrating this day. The day is usually celebrated every third Saturday of February annually and is aimed at highlighting the plight of all species of pangolins in the face of unsustainable illegal wildlife trade and mass slaughter of thousands of these animals per year. It is by our hand that pangolins are disappearing and only by our hand they can also be saved.
This state of affairs has seen countries worldwide, different organisations joining hands with governments to save the pangolins which are said to be on the verge of extermination.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare also notes that pangolins are in danger of extinction.
As Zimbabwe is one of the reign states in Africa where pangolins exist, we have to take interest in their protection for the future generations who are in danger of never to set a sight on any pangolin just like dinosaurs are to our generations.
The Zimbabwe National Parks Management Authority Spokesperson, Mr Tinashe Farawu also views the pangolin as being on the verge of extinction.
“Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world and they facing extinction and in Zimbabwe they are specially protected animals through a Statutory Instrument because they are facing extinction…This animal is also internationally protected and listed under CITES Appendix 1, which means its trade globally is prohibited,” he said.
But despite these trade embargos, criminal elements involved in their trade are increasingly well-organised and well-resourced and operate with impunity and they continue to find ways into the market. And to counter these dealings, governments’ world over should start prioritizing wildlife crimes.
The continued poaching of pangolins has seen their meat and scales finding their way to Asian markets in China and Vietnam where they are in high demand and fetch lucrative amounts.
In China, the meat is considered a delicacy eaten to celebrate a signing of a deal while the scales are considered to be useful in the cure of cancer, arthritis and asthma among other things and is also revered in Chinese traditional medicine though these functions are not scientifically proven yet.
“It is a huge concern, as the socio- economics of Asia increase so to it seems does the demand on pangolin cuisine. Pangolin soup is considered a delicacy when finalizing a deal – “kind of sign on the dotted line and let’s eat a pangolin!” These pangolin, are kept alive in cages and when ordered wheeled out to the customer prior to having his or her neck slit. Barbaric cannot or does not even describe this activity,” Lisa Hywood, founder of Tikki Hywood Trust in Zimbabwe - an organization which is known for offering rescue, rehabilitation and release on pangolins - was quoted in an interview with Safaritalk Magazine in 2016.
It also saddening to note that most pangolin recoveries and seizures occurring in the Middle East and Asia have their roots being traced to African countries and this includes Zimbabwe.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) together with The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC) who work in Asia and Africa to protect these animals from wildlife crime cemented the same sentiments. According to the WWF, populations of Asian pangolins have dropped by up to 80% in the last 10 years and this has pushed traders to look to Africa for their supply.
Programme Officer with TRAFFIC in South-East Asia, Lalita Gomez once said there had been a spate of seizures (over the years), most being three tonnes of scales originating from Congo (Central Africa) that were seized in Thailand a few years ago.
China is also said to have seized its largest haul of pangolin scales which had originated from Cameroon equating 5000 -7000 pangolins being killed.
There have been several other colossal seizures of shipments from Cameroon, Nigeria, and Democratic Republic of Congo among other African countries.
Given these statistics, there is a possibility that many pangolins could also be smuggled from our beloved nation Zimbabwe to these Asian markets.
According to statistics supplied by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Criminal Investigations Department, Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit, they handled 40 cases related to pangolins leading to the arrest of 82 accused persons. Seventeen live pangolins and over 1000kgs of pangolin scales were also recovered.
Last year, ZRP dealt with 39 cases countrywide leading to the arrest of 73 people. Thirty-two live pangolins, two pangolin skins and scales were recovered. Out of those arrested, one was convicted to 25 years imprisonment while 15 others were convicted and each sentenced to nine years imprisonment.
By the time of going to print, five pangolins had been recovered in four cases reported this year and eight people arrested. The cases are still pending at the courts.
While we may pride ourselves in making such arrests and recoveries, we should be warry of the number of pangolins being smuggled clandestinely out of our boarders until they reach the Asian markets without detection.
Taku Samantha Mutezo, Senior Legal Advisor at the Tikki Hywood Foundation commended the effort by authorities such as Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority, Zimbabwe Republic Police and the National Prosecuting Authority, which has seen Zimbabwe being listed among the top countries in terms of the conservation space, arrests, detection and convictions. She however feels more is to be done in order to get to the bottom of this wildlife smuggling.
“Our conviction rate is very high over 90 percent and we have one of the highest penalties of nine years for any of the offences relating to pangolins. But there is need for more awareness so that more people know that this is a crime and once these crimes are reported then we are in a position to find how criminals are smuggling these pangolins. We will then be able to track how pangolin meat and scales are being smuggled from Zimbabwe to Asian markets,” she said.
In their statement, the ZRP CID MFFU had a passionate plea to members of the public.
“If humans, so often the self-proclaimed caretakers of the planet, can give back to the pangolin the future we have so recklessly almost stolen, then perhaps it could again become a symbol of hope of what we might achieve for the many other magnificent, unique creatures threatened by our thoughtless sprawl, consumption and greed.
“We should not retreat into the magical thinking of bygone ages in order to find cause to revere the humble, bizarre and wonderful pangolin – there is nothing else like it, anywhere, and for that reason alone we should redouble our efforts to eradicate the illegal trade that leaves its future so perilous.
“If a pangolin can really exist, perhaps anything is possible!”
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