Rs 30,000 per kg for meat! The most hunted animal in the world, the pangolin

 

 

In the dense forests of Valmiki, Bihar's only tiger reserve, there is a creature that is a little shy and does not give in to anyone very quickly. Although it does not give in to anyone quickly, today the very existence of this creature is in danger. That creature is the pangolin, often called the scaly anteater. The pangolin is one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. Its meat is worth Rs 27,000 to 30,000 per kg in China, where it is considered a delicacy and a key ingredient in traditional medicine.

According to wildlife experts, the pangolin plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling termites and ants. But its soft meat makes it a prime target for poachers. Their bodies are covered in keratin scales, the same material found in human nails. Wildlife experts say pangolins are the most hunted species on Earth. They point to myths and unproven claims about the medicinal properties of the animal's meat as a major reason for this, and this is one of the main reasons that are pushing them to extinction.

Pangolins are marketed as a valuable delicacy throughout Asia, especially in China. Meanwhile, their scales and bones are used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat various ailments. However, researchers say there is no scientific evidence that pangolins' meat and other body parts have any health benefits for humans. Despite this, people traditionally view pangolins as medicinal, which is a major reason why they are targeted for illegal hunting and trafficking.

Pangolins, which range in size from 45 inches to 4.5 feet, are found in eight different species around the world. Two of them - the Indian pangolin and the Chinese pangolin - are found in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve. They are also called anteaters in India because they consume termites and ants as food. Wildlife researchers warn that these nocturnal mammals may disappear completely if urgent conservation measures are not taken for them. Habitat destruction and constant hunting have already brought them to the brink of extinction, according to reports.