ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT PROFILE

PROTECTION STATUS: One species of pangolin, the Temminck's ground pangolin, is listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The remaining seven pangolin species are not listed.

PETITIONED: 2015

RANGE: Once distributed widely across much of southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa; now rare in much of China and southeast Asia

THREATS: Poaching for trade, habitat destruction

POPULATION TREND: While there are very few estimates of pangolin abundance due to the species' elusive and nocturnal behavior, the best available science indicates that all eight species are in serious decline, experiencing a decreasing population trend.


Pangolin photo   Darren Bradley