Africa cautioned over pangolin extinction

Arusha.  Wildlife experts in Africa have been warned about the rapid disappearance of pangolins, which are now being smuggled out of the continent by traffickers.

Pangolins are the most sought-after wildlife species by traffickers, who are illegally shipping the endangered animals from Africa to Asia and the Far East.

This was revealed in Arusha during a regional training on reducing maritime trafficking of wildlife between Africa and Asia, organized by the Lusaka Agreement Task Force and the Grace Farms Foundation-USA.

The workshop was attended by wildlife officers from Kenya, Tanzania, and Cambodia.

"Pangolins are already extinct in Asia, and now wildlife traffickers have started smuggling the creatures from Africa to Asia, where they are being killed, mostly for their scales," said Edward Phiri, director of the Lusaka Agreement Task Force.

Phiri added that some of the pangolins are shipped to the Far East, especially China, where they are popular delicacies in hotels and restaurants.

Wildlife trafficking requires the use of specialized tools, such as controlled deliveries, to infiltrate the complex criminal networks involved in these illicit activities.

During the training, wildlife officers from Kenya, Tanzania, and Cambodia were equipped with hands-on experience through a practical exercise on controlled deliveries.

They also received valuable insights through presentations covering undercover operations, financial investigations, and the application of DNA forensic science in ivory-related cases.

This mentorship will empower them to efficiently follow up on wildlife seizures at seaports and airports, while also promoting international collaboration in wildlife crime investigations.

The Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dunstan Luka Kitandula, said during the event that cross-border wildlife trafficking rackets have been notorious, causing governments to lose revenues and negatively impacting tourism sectors.

"Many of the criminals behind wildlife trafficking deploy advanced technology, however through the Lusaka agreement, a number of these concerns are being addressed," the deputy minister said.

"Additionally, we are committed to providing mentorship and training to law enforcement officers in our countries to equip them with skills to combat smuggling of such trophies," Kitandula added.