The first-ever international conference for pangolin range countries is taking place in Da Nang between 24 and 26 June.

The event is being attended by representatives from 29 African and Asian countries where pangolins exist, plus the USA.  The event is being jointly chaired by Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Viet Nam Claire Pierangelo, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan, and Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Phung Tan Viet.

Pangolins

Da Nang boasts 57,000ha of forest and about 300 species of wild animals, especially red-shanked douc langurs which are listed in the World Red Book.  Over recent years, local relevant agencies have detected and dealt with nearly 200 cases of illegal hunting, trading and consuming wildlife, including 100 pangolins.  Many illegally-captured animals have been released back into the wild.

Pangolins, or scaly anteaters, are small to medium-sized, nocturnal, ant and termite-eating mammals found in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa whose bodies are covered with scales made of keratin, the same protein that forms human finger nails and rhino horn.  These animals are killed only for their scales, skin and meat which are believed to possess powerful medicinal properties.  Currently, the illegal trade in pangolin specimens is escalating at an alarming rate in many countries worldwide.