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Pangolin dinner prompts calls for species' protection
date:2017/02/08
Conservation groups have called for governments to increase protection of the Chinese pangolin after a social media post triggered public concern over this critically endangered wild mammal.
A Sina Weibo user posted four pictures from 2015 showing a pangolin meat banquet held for a business delegation from Hong Kong in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. This triggered public criticism and has led to a probe.
The Chinese pangolin, one of the eight species of pangolins, has been heavily hunted and trafficked for its meat and scales, which are believed to have medicinal qualities. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna said in 2003 the population was estimated at 50,000 to 100,000, having declined by up to 94 percent since the 1960s.The species exists, but is very rare.Some hunters said they haven't seen wild pangolin for three decades.
Some people think that the majority of rescue centers or zoos don't even know how to keep pangolins alive, not to mention encourage reproduction.One of the important ways to raise public awareness of wildlife protection is to show endangered animals in zoos. However, no zoo on the Chinese mainland has pangolins. So most people don't know this species is more endangered than the giant panda.
Wu from South China Normal University is more positive about the pangolin's future. He said the first step is to conduct a national survey of wild Chinese pangolin to provide a basis for establishing reserve areas.
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