Youth Legacy For Pangolin Conservation (In commemoration of the World Pangolin Day 2025)
By Dr. Ibikunle Faramade
Pangolin, also known as scaly anteater is the only scaled mammal in the animal kingdom. They are made up of eight species found in tropical Asia and Africa. They have conical heads, no teeth, a long tongue, short legs and a long prehensile tail. Pangolin (a Malay word, meaning roll over) are between 1-3 feet long (without the tail) and weighs between 5-27 kg. Pangolins are either terrestrial (living in burrows) or arboreal, (living on trees). All pangolins are nocturnal in nature. They feed mainly on termites but also eat ants and other insects. They locate prey by their special sense of smell. Pangolins are harmless creatures, but may be preyed upon by larger predators such as leopards, lions, tigers and hyenas. They are generally timid, living alone or in pairs. They give birth to only one offspring at a time (although a brood of two or three offspring have been observed in some Asian species), Their lifespan is unknown, however, some captive pangolins have lived up to 20 years.
Pangolins are essential ecosystem service providers without which there would be ecological imbalance and upheavals that could spell doom for human existence. In other words, the elimination of pangolins from existence poses direct existential threat to humans. As predators of ants and termites, pangolin contributes to the regulation of insect population including those that serve as vectors of zoonotic diseases and those that transmit infectious diseases from one animal to the other. As active excavators of burrows, they contribute to the process of soil aeration, including the turn – over of organic matter. They may also act as bioturbators. It has been established that one adult pangolin could consume as much as 70 million insects per year, in addition to ants and termites.
Sadly, it is on record that pangolins are the most trafficked mammal globally. This is because of the great value attached to their scales and other body parts, used in traditional medicine, especially in Asia, a belief that is yet to be scientifically proven. According to Daniel W.S. Challenger et al, in their publication in 2020 titled ‘International Trade and Trafficking in Pangolins, 1900-2019’, more than 890,000 pangolins were trafficked globally between 2000 and 2019. Limited by their reproductive biology, pangolin now face a grave existential threat anthropological activities. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), three species of pangolins, i.e., the Chinese pangolin, the Surda pangolin and the Palawan pangolin are now considered critically endangered. Three other species; the Indian pangolin, the white bellied pangolin and the giant pangolin are also listed as endangered. In addition, the ground pangolin and the black bellied pangolin are considered vulnerable.
The fact of unguarded human activities driving pangolins into extinction cannot be brought home than the reported seizure of 9.4 tonnes of pangolin scales in 2024 in a combined efforts of the Nigerian Custom Service with the support of the Wildlife Justice Commission in Ogun and Kaduna States. The scales were valued to be $175,000 in Nigeria and about $1.7 million at the International market! Thankfully, some arrests were made and the law took its course as a total of 34 traffickers were made to face the music.
It should be stated, however, that the angle of the law alone is not sufficient to discourage poachers and traffickers from engaging in this illegal trade. There is need for sustained advocacy, targeted at the lowest rung of the ladder, where pangolins are sourced, especially, the rural and peri-urban areas. This is where youths have a great work to do,
Although, there is no universal definition of the word ‘youth’, it is however agreed that persons between the ages of 15 years and 40years could be variously described as youths (with 15years marking the lowest benchmark and 40years marking the highest benchmark). This age range is arguably the most remarkable period of human existence, in terms of skills, ability, energy, strength, dynamism, innovation, adventure, flexibility and dedication to noble courses. Therefore, the youth have a major role to play in promoting advocacy against illegal wildlife trade, especially, pangolins. They must see themselves as critical stakeholders in the preservation of nature.
According to the World Economic Forum, more than 60% of African population is about 25 years of age, with projection of youths reaching up to 42% of the world population by 2030. The youth constitute the main workforce population in both formal and informal sectors globally. They have a lot of influence on policy making and implementation. Most of the youths are technology savvy and through their power of networks, they could accelerate the propagation of information in diverse languages, reaching the ends of the earth. Youths can mobilize communities to promote sustainable development, awaking environmental consciousness through education and advocacy. They can physically engage in grass root mobilization to develop local solutions to global challenges. They can make or mar depending on the direction of their action. Youths are powerful change agents!
Some youths are worthy of special mention for their efforts in promoting the achievement of sustainable development goals and advocacy in the interest of humanity in one form or the other. These include: Greta Thunberg, a Swedish leading Friday for Future Movement committed to climate change awareness advocacy aimed at the development of stronger environmental policies. Jianta Ugwah Ekele, a Sustainable Development Network of Nigeria (CSDevNet), assisting farmers to develop coping strategies to the menace of climate change. Anjorin Oluwatobi Emmanuel is also an environmental and social management consultant and co-creator of various projects, e.g. Eyi- Africa, a social enterprise focused on afrocentric youth capacity building in sustainability and the Africa Digital Climate Project (AfDC). He also coordinates Commonwealth Youth Climate Network in Nigeria, facilitating global youth engagements and trans boundary parliamentary engagements across the commonwealth countries.
Taiwo Ogunwumi and Rita Idehai are youths with skills in geo information management (GIS) and promotion of special inclusion of responsible consumption and sustainability through their non-governmental organization (Geohazard Risk Mapping Initiative and EcoBarter). Dr. Kikiope Oluwarore leads One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI), a non – governmental organization committed to the promotion of public health, animal welfare, sustainable food systems, environmental conservation etc. They. have continued to make significant impacts on the landscape of their mandates. Indeed, the youth are truly up to the task!
In recognition of the vital force constituted by the youth, the inclusion and participation of young people in the United Nation processes have progressively increased and improved. Young people’s participation in Climate Change Conferences of the Parties have become institutionalized since COP10 in Buenos Aires. The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, summed it up by saying “humanity depends on the boundless energy, ideas and contributions of youth everywhere. Today, and every day, let’s support and stand with young people in shaping a just and sustainable world, for people and planet”
The theme of this year’s World Pangolin Day celebrated annually on the third Saturday in February is therefore apt, i.e. Youth Legacy for Pangolin Conservation. The Society for Animal Rights Protection, Nigeria, congratulates the Chairperson of Pangolin Conservation Guild, Nigeria, Professor Olajumoke A. Morenikeji, FZSN, on a successful awareness program held at the University of Ibadan to mark this year’s event. . It was a big event populated by youth from secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Nigeria, all of them pledging to reverse the ugly trend of over exploitation of pangolins across the country.
Truly, the time for the youth to arise from all corners of the world and put an end to imminent triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution is now.
Dr. Ibikunle Faramade is a veterinary pathologist, sustainable development practitioner, animal welfare advocate and a lecturer at the Federal College of Animal Health & Production Technology, Apata. Ibadan. He’s the C.E.O of the Society for Animal Rights Protection, a non-profit and a non-governmental organization dedicated to the promotion of animal welfare, animal rights and prevention of cruelty to animals in Nigeria animalrightsprotection2020@gmail.com +2348028305284.
